Subdivided flats owners have to register by 2027
發佈日期: 2025-06-19 22:16
TVB News
The government will publish the "Basic Housing Units Bill" in the gazette tomorrow.
Under the proposed regulatory regime, the subdivided units allowed to be let out for habitation, should firstly obtain recognition from the government and comply with a set of minimum standards.
Anyone who leases out unauthorised units will be held liable starting from March 2027.
The authorities expect the bill to be passed in October.
Back in 2021, Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, said the city should get rid of subdivided flats.
After four years of deliberation, the government rolled out a registration system which allows only registered subdivided flats, known as "basic housing units" that meet minimum standards to remain on the rental market.
Standard requirements are basically the same as proposed for public consultation.
For instance, each unit will require a minimum size of 8 square metres, a ceiling height of 2.3 metres, in addition to fulfilling fire and structural safety standards.
The flat should also be equipped with at least an enclosed toilet.
If the toilet does not have a window, or one commonly known as a "dark toilet," it must be fitted with an exhaust fan.
Each must be provided with at least one openable window facing external air.
Otherwise, a ventilation system has to be installed.
In the case of the window facing a four-side enclosed light well, there has to be an access to the lowest floor of the light well so that someone can remove the rubbish inside.
Starting from March 2026, the basic housing unit system will open for registration.
The signing up period will last for one year.
Landlords have a grace period of up to three years to rectify their substandard flats.
Applicants will have to submit a report certified by professionals who confirm the flats are up to standard.
A new application will cost 3,000 dollars for a five-year recognition period.
Another 2,400 dollars will be charged for a renewal application.
To encourage early registration, the application fee will be waived in full during the first two years, and also in half in later designated periods.
Landlords will be held liable if they rent out unrecognised subdivided units after March 2027.
Before March 2030, the maximum penalties would be a 300,000-dollar fine and three years in prison, as well as a futher fine of 20,000 dollars for every day during which the offence continues.
The authorities said the bill will have its first and second readings in the Legislative Council on July 9th, and expect it to be approved by the end of this Legco term.
Mr. Ng rents out his subdivided flats for around 5,000 to 8,000 dollars each every month.
He said the new rules will lead to a rise in rents, and he would not dare to rent out the flats to the jobless.
This tenant said the policy can help improve the living environment, but would make the flats even more unaffordable.
Sze Lai-shan, deputy director of the Society for Community Organisation, said the authorities should resettle those who cannot afford the improved subdivided flats by expediting the transitional housing, or consider allocating to them some of the rehousing flats from the Housing Society and the Urban Renewal Authority.
