2024 Policy Address: Hong Kong to eradicate subdivided flats under 8 square meters

Owners must convert substandard SDUs to basic housing units.

Hong Kong will eradicate subdivided flats with a floor area of less than eight square meters, Chief Executive John Lee announced.

In his 2024 Policy Address, Lee said all substandard SDUs in Hong Kong must be converted to basic housing units, meeting requirements such as having windows, an individual toilet, and a floor area of no less than eight square meters.

Once converted to basic housing units, owners must apply for recognition of their units from professionals.

"Otherwise, there would be criminal liability on the part of owners for renting out substandard SDUs, while the tenants concerned will not be held liable," Lee said.

Lee mentioned that owners with pre-existing SDUs for rent will be given a grace period to ensure their flats meet the requirements.

New SDUs entering the market must apply for recognition as up-to-standard Basic Housing Units before being rented out.

"The Secretary for Housing will be empowered by law to decide, upon the expiry of the grace period, when to take enforcement actions against substandard SDUs by batches in an orderly manner, in light of actual circumstances," Lee announced.