Subdivided-flat registration rate at 42.5% as ‘early bird’ phase deadline passes
Property-ownership complications and low public awareness have slowed landlords’ registration of Hong Kong subdivided flats under new housing regulations, industry observers have said, after the government received only 42.5 per cent of the applications expected in the first phase. Monday marked the deadline for the initial six-month “early bird” registration phase under the Basic Housing Unit…
The registration rate for Hong Kong subdivided flats under the new housing regulations fell short of expectations, with only 42.5% of the applications anticipated during the initial six-month "early bird" phase. The deadline for this phase was Monday, and landlords who registered during this period qualified for a waiver of HK$3,000 in certification fees per subdivided flat for the first three years.
Despite the legislation aimed at phasing out substandard flats, only around 34,000 units were registered in the first six months, out of an estimated 80,000 flats citywide that could be accredited. Scott Leung, deputy chairman of the Legislative Council's housing panel, acknowledged the 42.5% application rate as acceptable but noted that the HK$3,000 discount was not a strong incentive for early registration, particularly for inherited properties.
The second six-month registration round, offering smaller fee discounts, is ongoing and will conclude the one-year application period. Authorities have also granted a three-year grace period for landlords to renovate and rectify substandard units. To raise awareness, some organizers suggest holding briefings in various districts, as some owners might not have been aware of the new regulations.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post - Hong Kong's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
