{
  "id": 11620375,
  "title": "‘Better than expected’: 73,800 subdivided flats apply for 3-year grace period",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/better-than-expected-73-800-subdivided-flats-apply-for-3-year-grace",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-03T06:26:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3369653/better-expected-73800-subdivided-flats-apply-3-year-grace-period"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Over 73,000 subdivided flats in Hong Kong have registered for a three-year grace period to meet the government's minimum standards, according to Housing Secretary Winnie Ho. The early bird registration phase saw nearly 73,800 applications, representing almost 70% of the city's estimated 110,000 subdivided flats. Ho praised the progress, stating that the numbers were \"better than expected\" and anticipating a rise in certification applications as people become more familiar with the process. She urged landlords to register before the grace period begins in March, emphasizing that they must bear renovation and certification costs and pay HK$3,000 per subdivided flat for recognition as basic housing units. The grace period, which runs from March 2027 to February 2030, aims to eliminate substandard subdivided flats in residential buildings by 2030 under Hong Kong's five-year plan.",
  "summary": "More than 73,000 subdivided flats in Hong Kong have applied for a three-year grace period to meet the government’s minimum standards, a figure the housing chief has described as “better than expected”. Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin said on Saturday that authorities received around 73,800 applications during the “early bird” registration phase under the Basic Housing Unit Ordinance,…",
  "key_points": [
    "73,800 subdivided flats in Hong Kong applied for a three-year grace period.",
    "Housing Secretary Winnie Ho praised the registration numbers as better than expected.",
    "The grace period runs from March 2027 to February 2030 to eliminate substandard flats."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The high registration rate suggests that many landlords are taking steps to avoid penalties and capitalize on incentives, shifting the financial burden of upgrades and certification to themselves.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
        "title": "‘Better than expected’: 73,800 subdivided flats apply for 3-year grace period",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/better-than-expected-73-800-subdivided-flats-apply-for-3-year-grace-11621365",
        "published": "2026-10-03T06:26:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}