The Government will adopt new procedures from July 16 to handle water seepage cases in private buildings.
The Joint Office (JO), set up by the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department and the Buildings Department, said the new, streamlined procedures will be implemented as a pilot scheme. They will leverage technology to enhance the efficiency of investigations and resolve seepage problems more expeditiously.
For relatively simple and straightforward cases, the JO explained, a Notification Letter can be issued to the owner involved about 14 working days upon receipt of a report. This is about 57 working days earlier than under the current practice of issuing a Nuisance Notice only after completing all investigations.
Infrared thermography will be adopted in Stage I investigations, and will be used along with electronic moisture meters to assess seepage conditions and identify the source of the seepage.
If there is reason to believe that the source is the upper unit, the JO will promptly issue a Notification Letter requiring the owner to carry out inspection and repair works within 28 calendar days.
Under the new procedures, the JO will also recover examination costs of not less than $17,000 from owners who fail to fulfil their responsibilities.
The JO believes that this arrangement will encourage owners to proactively liaise with occupants of affected units, and promptly carry out inspection and repair works.
To dovetail with the new procedures’ implementation, the Government will provide technical and financial support to assist upper-unit owners in need.
Members of the public can visit the dedicated webpage for a list of professionals and contractors, a list of mediators, reference prices, and information on financial assistance schemes.
From July 16 onwards, water seepage cases received by the JO will be handled in accordance with the new procedures. The cases received before that day will be processed under the existing procedures.
Complainants can contact their case manager, or call the JO at 2868 0000, for enquiries.
