Registration system could be rolled out to tackle substandard subdivided flats

The government plans to formulate a registration system for subdivided units (SDUs) to eradicate those of poor quality and set a timeframe for landlords to fix them.

A “Task Force on Tackling the Issue of Subdivided Units” was established to set the minimum standards of living conditions for SDUs and suggest measures to eradicate the substandard ones.

The task force has met with different parties and organizations recently and it is understood that a registration system on SDUs is set to be rolled out.

Authorities will set a standard of minimum areas of SDUs, along with regulations forcing landlords to fix poor-quality flats to improve the living environment or assist in transforming the subdivided units.

Sources said the measures could be announced in October.

Bill Tang Ka-piu, a Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker, said that the authorities have yet to finalize the minimum area of SDUs as well as the penalties.

He added that since the Landlord and Tenant Ordinance came into effect, a large number of subdivided unit owners still violated regulations and failed to submit Notice of Tenancy within prescribed period.

Tang believed that after the registration system had been rolled out, law enforcement must also be strengthened to tackle the issue.

Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) lawmaker Vincent Cheng Wing-shun suggested setting up a points system to eradicate substandard SDUs effectively.