Housing Authority endorses policies for enhanced marking scheme for estate management

The marking scheme in public housing will take effect in the fourth quarter.

The Housing Authority (HA) Subsidised Housing Committee said it would endorse measures to improve the Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement in Public Housing Estates, which will be implemented in the fourth quarter of 2023.

HA said penalty points for nine misdeed items related to environmental hygiene, public safety, and serious breach of tenancy agreement will be raised, and the scope of two misdeed items on environmental hygiene and serious breaches of tenancy agreement will be widened.

The penalty for the nine misdeed items will go up to seven to 15 points.

They include:” littering; disposing of refuse indiscriminately; allowing animal and livestock under charge to foul public places with faeces; obstructing corridors or stairs with sundry items that render cleansing difficult; causing noise nuisance; dumping or disposing of decoration debris indiscriminately at refuse collection point, within building or in other public areas; damaging down/sewage pipes causing leakage to the flat below; damaging or stealing HA property; and using leased premises for illegal purposes.”

The misdeed of “damaging down/sewage pipes causing leakage to the flat below” will result in a penalty increase of seven to 15 points and render the warning system no longer applicable.

The scope of two misdeed items will be broadened.

“Refusing repair of leaking pipes or sanitary fittings responsible by the tenant" will be revised to "failure to repair pipes or sanitary fittings for which the tenant is responsible or to rectify unauthorised alterations as demanded by HA.”

"Illegal hawking of cooked food" will 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".

The HA has reviewed the marking scheme and will adopt the enhanced measures to tie in with the Government's proposal to raise the fixed penalty level for offences related to public cleanliness and obstruction so as to provide a safe and hygienic living environment for public rental housing residents.