Housing Authority implements enhanced Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement in Public Housing Estates
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A spokesman for the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) said today (December 11) that the enhanced measures of the Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement in Public Housing Estates endorsed earlier will take effect on December 18, 2023.
The HA's Subsidised Housing Committee endorsed on May 24, 2023, the implementation of measures to enhance the Marking Scheme by increasing penalty points for nine misdeed items related to environmental hygiene, public safety and serious breach of tenancy agreement; and widening the scope of two misdeed items related to environmental hygiene and/or serious breach of tenancy agreement. For the revised list of misdeeds under the Marking Scheme, please see the Annex.
The penalty points of the following nine misdeed items will be increased:
- "Littering" - from five to seven;
- "Disposing of refuse indiscriminately" - from five to seven;
- "Allowing animal and livestock under charge to foul public places with faeces" - from five to seven;
- "Obstructing corridors or stairs with sundry items rendering cleansing difficult" - from five to seven;
- "Causing noise nuisance" - from five to seven;
- "Dumping or disposing of decoration debris indiscriminately at refuse collection point, within building or in other public areas" - from seven to 15;
- "Damaging down/sewage pipes causing leakage to the flat below" - from seven to 15, and the warning system will no longer be applicable;
- "Damaging or stealing Housing Authority's property" - from seven to 15; and
- "Using leased premises for illegal purpose" - from seven to 15.
The scope of the following two misdeed items will be widened:
- "Refusing repair of leaking pipes or sanitary fittings responsible by the tenant" be amended to "Failure to repair pipes or sanitary fittings for which the tenant is responsible or to rectify unauthorised alterations as demanded by HA"; and
- "Illegal hawking of cooked food" be amended to "Illegal hawking of commodities or services; supplying, promoting, soliciting or advertising of commodities or services that is commercial in nature but without HA's prior approval".
If households of Public Rental Housing (PRH)/Interim Housing have been allotted 16 points within two years, the subject tenancy will be terminated. The households concerned will be barred from reapplying PRH within five years.
The spokesman called on public housing tenants to maintain domestic and environmental hygiene in public housing estates, take good care of public facilities, and be neighbourly and friendly. "The HA will also step up publicity on the revised Marking Scheme and remind PRH households that they should be public-spirited and empathetic to their neighbours and build a better community together," he said.
Ends/Monday, December 11, 2023
Issued at HKT 14:40
Issued at HKT 14:40
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