Angry tenants have threatened to close their shops if the Government forces them to pay for the upgrading of fire-fighting equipment.
Restaurateur Kwok Hung-yum, chairman of Nam Lok House Mutual Aid Committee, Nam Shan Estate, Shekkipmei, said many shops were already going out of business.
'I think the Government, which collects rents from us every month, should pay for repair and maintenance in the premises.
'The request is simply unreasonable. Many of us who can't deal with the pressure of the rising rent and poor profit margins would surely close our business,' said Mr Kwok, who opened his restaurant 50 years ago when he was just 15.
Mr Kwok, who pays $16,000 a month for 3,600 square feet, considered closing when the Government raised his rent a year ago.
'Most of our customers are elderly and can't afford to eat out. My business is dying.
