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A public rental housing (PRH) tenant and his household have to move out of their flat after being allotted 17 penalty points under the Marking Scheme for Tenancy Enforcement in PRH estates following a decision handed down by the independent Appeal Panel (Housing) today (November 10) to confirm the Notice to Quit (NTQ) issued by the Housing Authority.
This is the fourth case in which the tenancy of a PRH household has been terminated after being allotted 16 or more penalty points under the Marking Scheme. The first two cases were granted discretionary amendment to the NTQ by the Tribunal. The third case surrendered his flat.
"If the household refuses to move out, eviction will be enforced within one month," the Deputy Director of Housing (Estate Management), Mr Lau Kai-hung, said, adding that the department would arrange temporary shelter for the household if they were homeless upon eviction.
The tenant was allotted seven points in August 2003 for spitting in public areas. The following year, he was allotted five points for obstructing corridors and staircases with sundry items rendering cleaning difficult and another five points for accumulating a large quantity of refuse or waste inside leased premises, creating an offensive smell and a hygiene nuisance.
The Housing Authority then issued NTQ to the tenant to terminate his tenancy. The tenant lodged an appeal to the Appeal Panel. After a hearing held on October 28, the Appeal Panel decided to confirm the NTQ.
Early this month, 4,092 points-allotted cases had been recorded and 67 households were carrying 10 to 15 points due to two or more misdeeds.
"Littering" and "spitting in public areas" continued to be the most frequently committed offences with 6,566 and 1,208 cases reported respectively.
"This clearly indicates the deterrent effect of the Marking Scheme," Mr Lau said. He called on PRH tenants to preserve environmental hygiene in PRH estates in the wake of the recent outbreak of avian influenza in neighbouring countries and places.
Introduced in August 2003, the Marking Scheme aims to strengthen enforcement measures against hygiene-related offences in PRH estates and interim housing estates to promote civic responsibility among tenants and to improve the living environment of the estates.
The scheme targets offences that damage public hygiene or pose public health hazards. Points given for offences will be valid for 24 months. An accumulation of 16 points within a 24-month period will trigger action for tenancy termination.
Ends/Thursday, November 10, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:06
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