arrears
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The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:
The Housing Authority's Subsidised Housing Committee (SHC) has endorsed the introduction of four new measures to deal with rent arrears in public rental housing (PRH).
At a meeting today (September 29) the chairman of SHC, Mr Ng Shiu-lai, said that the yearly average for rent arrears recorded for 2004/05 hit an all-time high of 5.72% with about $5 million in bad debts being written off for the same year.
"Beginning from next month, Notice-To-Quits will be issued to tenants paying their rents in arrears consecutively for three months instead of the current practice of four months.
"Tenants whose tenancies are terminated on grounds of rent arrears will be asked to settle the rent arrears incurred in the past on their return to PRH," Mr Ng said.
As rent arrears for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) households in terms of percentage was 6.5% compared with 3.7% for non-CSSA households, direct rent payment from the Social Welfare Department to the Housing Authority will be implemented for all PRH tenants receiving full rent allowance under CSSA.
Noting that autopay by banks was the most cost-effective way for payment of rent, Mr Ng said that autopay would be actively promoted by giving out welcoming gifts to new users and inviting them to join lucky draws with attractive prizes.
Mr Ng stressed that there were well-established channels to render assistance to tenants facing temporary financial hardship.
"Low-income households can apply to move to flats of lower rent or apply for Rent Assistance to obtain a 50% rent reduction when the rental expenditure took up more than 25% of their income or their income was below 50% of the Waiting List limit," he said.
At today's meeting, members were also informed of the introduction of e-Payment Cards early next year to replace the Rent Cards currently in use for effecting rent payment.
The e-Payment Cards will save the time and cost in issuing and replacing the Rent Cards every two years as well as shortening the processing time for over-the-counter collection service at estate shroff offices.
The department is exploring the feasibility of extending the rent collection points to alternative channels including convenient stores and post offices.
Ends/Thursday, September 29, 2005
Issued at HKT 14:28
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