Hong Kong is pressing ahead with legislation to regulate the city’s notorious subdivided flats, with authorities planning to enforce proposed new laws from 2027 and landlords able to register their properties as early as March next year.
The Housing Bureau submitted its regulatory proposals to the legislature on Thursday, with the bill to be tabled on July 9. It is expected to pass before the current Legislative Council term ends in October, paving the way for the city to finally eradicate substandard housing infamous for its shoebox size, poor hygiene conditions and safety hazards.
“The government is determined to press ahead with the regulation in a practical manner; the new law is not just cosmetic work,” a bureau spokesman said, adding that the measures were expected to help improve Hong Kong’s image.
Landlords will be able to register their subdivided flats for bringing them up to official standards as early as next March. Properties that achieve minimum standards and receive official accreditation will be able to remain on the rental market.
Authorities have also introduced measures to prevent landlords from rectifying their properties at the last minute, such as waiving a HK$3,000 (US$385) accreditation fee for early birds.
To make it work, the authorities had lengthened the grace period to three years, the spokesman said.
“I hope the substandard home problems will go away. Most Hongkongers are law-abiding citizens. The situation will improve,” he added.
