Homeowners using the planned Building Maintenance Support and Services Bureau can expect service fees of several thousand Hong Kong dollars per flat, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said. The amount will depend on the repair work and how costs are shared.
The government plans the bureau as part of reforms following an independent committee report on the Tai Po residential fire. It is targeted to begin operating by the end of 2026, and recruitment for its chief executive is under way.
The fees are intended to recover the bureau’s costs. Chan said private residential owners remain responsible for maintaining their properties, so the bureau would need to charge for its services even though it will operate on a non-profit basis.
The government has set aside HK$300 million: HK$100 million for start-up costs and HK$200 million for subsidies to owners.
Older residents and owners of single-block buildings in old districts are among those the planned support is intended to help. Chan said some older residents may struggle to meet the fees and could receive greater support. For owners able to afford repairs, he said, professional guidance may be more useful than cash subsidies, so support should reflect individual circumstances instead of applying one percentage to everyone. The bureau’s board will decide the detailed arrangements once it is operating.
The bureau is expected to provide a government-checked list of professionals, including building-inspection consultants and consultants who draft tenders or supervise work. It will also let owners choose repair contractors.