As city moves to legislate minimum standards, industry players also worry that more operators will exit market due to stiffer penalties
Hayson Chan Hin-hay, chairman of the Hong Kong Basic Housing Units Operators Association, told a radio programme on Friday that certification costs alone for a flat subdivided into four units could be as high as HK$50,000 (US$6,340).
The planned legislation, which was gazetted on the same day, marks an important step in creating a much-awaited legal regime to eliminate substandard subdivided flats, with enforcement scheduled for 2027.
Under the authorities’ plan, subdivided flats must fulfil a set of standards laid down for “basic housing units”, which include a minimum size of 86 sq ft, a ceiling height of 2.3 metres (7.5 feet), proper windows and at least one toilet for each unit.
Landlords will be allowed to register their subdivided flats if they comply with official standards and remain on the rental market if they receive accreditation.
