*************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:
The Housing Authority (HA) started today (July 24) to arrange for successful applicants under the sale of surplus Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats Phase 7 to select flats in accordance with the order of priority.
Up until 4pm today, amongst the 36 applicants invited, 23 had arrived at the HA Customer Service Centre at Lok Fu to select flats. Out of a total of 832 flats, 21 were selected.
An HA spokesman said, "Amongst the 832 flats, 640 flats are located at Chung Po House and Chung Ho House of Tin Chung Court. Strengthening of the foundations for these two building blocks was completed in 2003. The structural performance of the two blocks is absolutely safe. The HA had earlier on agreed to provide a 20-year structural guarantee to these two blocks, counting from today."
The contractor of the HA also conducted performance tests, repair and replacement works to all finishes and fittings of flats in the two blocks between October and December in 2012. All the defects found during the inspection have been repaired or replacements have been made. In April 2013, the HA employed a qualified person to carry out window inspections at all flats to ensure that the windows are functioning properly.
Regarding the hollow wall tiling found at kitchens and washrooms in some flats, the spokesman said, "As the HOS development has been completed for many years, the fittings and fixtures of the domestic units may not have a fresh outlook. With due consideration to environmental protection, those features that are functioning properly will not be replaced. Formation of hollow tiling is the result of natural shrinkage of the tile adhesive and should not be considered a sign of debonding. There is a proper waterproofing system installed beneath the tiles of walls and floors. This will offer proper protection against water seepage under normal operation in the kitchens and bathrooms."
The spokesman said that, for any defects identified after handover which are not caused by the buyers' improper conduct or negligence, the buyers can give written notice to the HA within one year from the date of completion of sale and the HA will be responsible for rectifying the defects.
Ends/Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:35
NNNN
