HK tightens oversight of building repair work

The Hong Kong SAR government will launch the first phase of a centralized database for the records of building maintenance projects and professionals in May or June next year, while a new public body will assist local homeowners with the oversight of repair or renovation works from January.

The special administrative region authorities also aim to amend several ordinances to enhance crackdowns on bid-rigging and other anti-competition conduct by April.

The moves are part of the city's reforms proposed following Thursday's release of the report of an independent committee inquiry into the Wang Fuk Court blaze on Nov 26, 2025, which killed 168 people and displaced nearly 2,000 families. The report contains the judge-led panel's analysis of the cause of the fire, the system deficiencies it identified, and its recommendations for improvement.

Speaking on a radio program on Friday, Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwokki said he was confident that the implementation of most of the measures proposed could begin within months.

Chan, who leads a steering committee tasked with reviewing the independent inquiry's recommendations and overseeing implementation of the proposed reforms, said the committee will hold its first meeting in November to examine in detail how to implement the proposed measures.

Chan said some measures were already being taken forward or put into effect, including amendments to six ordinances that the government is set to table in the Legislative Council by the end of this year.

But he said that the proposed centralized data system could take several months to build, as it will involve converting existing data from the data banks of various departments and developing the platform.

Chan said he believes this system will be helpful for reviewing contractors' work.

Separately, at two media briefings on Friday, officials explained how the government will support local homeowners under the new Building Maintenance Support and Services Council and criminalize bid-rigging.

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho said that the council — which is set to begin operations by the end of this year, with services being launched in January — will support owners and oversee project parties involved in building inspections, tender preparations, bid evaluations and construction.

Officials said that the council's free services include providing lists of trustworthy consultants and contractors, templates of tender documents and engineering contracts, as well as the cost data from past projects, enabling homeowners to conduct bidding procedures and hire consultants and contractors.

With its paid service package — which is compulsory for homeowners applying for government repair subsidies and estimated to cost a few thousand Hong Kong dollars per household — the council will act as an agent in the recruitment of building inspection consultants and will review inspection reports, while also helping homeowners during bidding, construction and more.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah said the authorities are considering criminalizing four types of serious anti-competition conduct involving tenders for building maintenance and renovation projects, namely bid-rigging, price-fixing, market sharing and output restrictions.

Contact the writers at wanqing@chinadailyhk.com