Overhaul of Hong Kong's divisive small house policy is long overdue

The so-called small house policy has long been a bone of contention between urbanites and New Territories villagers. Many people consider the policy, a legacy of the colonial era, as inherently unfair and sexist.

It only entitles the male descendants of native villagers to build a three-storey house. Female villagers, however, are not entitled to this right.

Given the open-ended commitment made by the government, a new survey by the think tank Civic Exchange estimates there are up to 91,700 outstanding claimants who will require up to 12 square kilometres of land to meet their demands.

Given our high property prices, the policy has proved to be a bonanza to villagers.

Many of them don't even live in the villages of their ancestors and may build the houses to trade and make a fortune without having any intention to live in one.

And it is anything but a small house. A standard house with three 700 square feet flats is larger than the homes of most Hong Kong people.

No wonder many look on the privilege with envy.