Buildings-repair body 'to operate on user-pays basis'
The new Building Maintenance Support and Services Council will operate on a non-profit basis but must recover costs on a user-pays basis, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said on Saturday, as the government moves to set it up in response to the independent committee report on the Wang Fuk Court fire. The council will guide owners through the full cycle of building repairs – handling tendering and…
The Building Maintenance Support and Services Council, a non-profit organization, will be responsible for overseeing building repairs in Hong Kong, according to Financial Secretary Paul Chan. The council will recover costs on a user-pays basis, meaning owners will be required to pay for the services provided. The council will handle all aspects of the building repair process, from tendering to evaluation, on behalf of the owners.
Chan explained that the fees charged by the council would depend on the scope of the work and could cost several thousand dollars per flat. The government acknowledges that many buildings in Hong Kong are old, and some elderly residents may struggle to afford the fees. In these areas, the government will provide subsidies to help alleviate the financial burden.
For wealthier owners, the council will offer professional guidance, as cash subsidies may not be as valuable. A pre-screened list of reputable professionals and contractors will be made available to owners, ensuring they have access to high-quality services and giving them greater peace of mind. The government has allocated HK$300 million for the council, including HK$100 million for start-up costs and HK$200 million for owner subsidies.
The council is set to commence operations by the end of the year, with the recruitment of a chief executive already underway.
Written by urgent.news from RTHK News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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