URA and HKHS launch subsidy scheme to support mandatory building inspection

The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) and the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) today (Tuesday) announced the launch of a scheme which will provide financial and technical assistance to eligible building owners selected under the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme (MBIS).

Executive Director (Operations & Project Control) of the URA, Mr Calvin Lam, said: "To dovetail the implementation of the MBIS by the Buildings Department (BD), URA and HKHS join hands again to launch the Mandatory Building Inspection Subsidy Scheme (MBISS) with the aim to help owners comply with the new statutory requirements by subsidising the cost of the first building inspection under the MBIS."

"URA and HKHS have long been providing assistance and support to owners of old buildings to improve their living conditions. Leveraging on the existing building rehabilitation assistance schemes provided by the two organisations, HKHS and URA will continue to provide one-stop service to owners when they undergo various stages of the MBIS".

Mr Lam added that, to be eligible for the MBISS, the buildings must fulfill the following requirements:

Private residential or composite buildings (commercial & residential) aged 30 years or above excluding buildings not exceeding three storeys; and
Buildings not in single ownership; and
With an average Rateable Value of residential unit not exceeding $120,000 p.a. for properties in the urban areas (including Shatin, Kwai Tsing and Tsuen Wan); or $92,000 p.a. for properties in the New Territories; and
Received "MBIS Pre-notification Letters" or "MBIS Notices" issued by the BD.

The subsidy amount, which does not cover detailed investigation, is subject to a cap which is determined by the number of units covered by each MBIS notice issued by the BD. Details are as follows:

20 units or below	up to $25,000
21 to 49 units	up to $35,000
50 to 200 units	up to $60,000
201 units or above	up to $100,000

Director (Property Management) of HKHS, Mr Jacky Ip, said that if any subsequent repair works are found necessary after the inspection, owners can apply for the various existing assistance and support schemes provided by URA and HKHS under the Integrated Building Maintenance Assistance Scheme to carry out the work.

"We shall start accepting applications for the Mandatory Building Inspection Subsidy Scheme in early October 2012 to tie in with the implementation programme of the MBIS by BD," said Mr Ip.

Interested parties can obtain the application forms and information kit of the subsidy scheme from the Property Management Advisory Centres of HKHS and Neighborhood Centres/Resource Centre of URA. They can also be downloaded from the website of HKHS (www.hkhs.com) and URA (www.ura.org.hk).

For application and enquiries, please call 3188 1188.

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