Govt sets up new body to oversee building repairs after fire

The government is setting up the Building Repair Support and Services Authority to take over repair subsidy schemes from the Urban Renewal Authority.

The new body will handle tendering and tender evaluation for flat owners, with costs per household estimated at several thousand Hong Kong dollars.

Amendments will also be made to the Buildings Ordinance.

Government officials held a press conference to detail follow-up work recommended by the independent committee's report on the Wang Fuk Court fire.

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn said future major building repairs must use the services of the new Building Repair Support and Services Authority if owners apply for government subsidies.

The government will hire building inspection consultants and assign them to oversee inspections.

After inspection, the authority will appoint supervision consultants to handle tendering and evaluations, recommending up to three tenders based on performance.

During construction, supervision consultants will check reports and work quality.

Any major changes to the project or budget will require prior consultation with the authority.

The Buildings Department will enforce statutory checks, conduct spot checks on inspection consultants early on and audit construction sites every six months.

Buildings requiring scaffolding more than four storeys tall on any side, or spanning bottom-to-top in lightwells, will be classified as major repair projects requiring prior approval.

There must be separate personnel for inspection and supervision.

Inspectors must be registered inspectors, while supervisors must be designated authorised persons.

Contractors must be Class I minor works contractors or general registered contractors.