1 Repairs boost for old buildings
Nishika Patel, The Standard 22 November 2007

The government is to relax stringent controls for minor building works in a bid to improve the safety of Hong Kong's numerous crumbling buildings.
Under a new streamlined process there will be no need for owners to seek prior approval from the Building Authority for minor building works.

Owners can simply appoint a qualified engineer, architect or contractor to carry out the repairs or upgrades.

Currently, minor and large-scale works are covered by the same legislation.

Because of the bureaucracy and the delay in getting permission, many of Hong Kong's old buildings are not getting the attention they need.

A spokesman for the Development Bureau said the current control regime was too demanding and complicated for relatively simple and small-scale minor building work, resulting in many cases where such work is being undertaken without proper authorization.

"The new system simplifies the approval procedures for minor works to cater to the needs of modern society, and improves the standards of contractors and the safety of work," the spokesman said. The Buildings Amendment Bill 2007 will be introduced to the Legislative Council on December 5 for scrutiny. It could be implemented as early as the end of 2009.

Under the proposed system, minor works will be classified into three areas with class one for complex work such as installation of internal staircases, class two for less complex but still risky work such as repairing external wall tiles, and class three for common household works such as putting up supporting frames for air-conditioners.

Class one and two fixtures must be carried out by company contractors while class three work can be done by a company or individual.

"The efficiency and flexibility of the new control system will be greatly enhanced, thus facilitating compliance by the public and relevant parties," the spokesman said.

Contractors or professionals must notify the Building Authority before beginning their work, except for those in class three, and all plans and records of the work carried out must be submitted on completion.

Owners must appoint qualified companies or individuals otherwise they could face prosecution.

A register of qualified minor works contractors will be established under the new system.

Short top-up training courses will be provided to upgrade standards and introduce contractors to the new legislation.

The spokesman said inspections will be conducted to make sure the laws are being followed.

Guidelines and technical information will be provided to owners, contractors, professionals and the public and publicity campaigns will be carried out to boost public awareness of the new measures.