The Government should not get directly involved in the management of private buildings, an official said.
'Private buildings' management is the responsibility of private owners,' said Deputy Director of Home Affairs Lui Hau-tuen.
Mr Lui said the department was already stretched to the limit because it offered advice to owners' corporations facing legal problems.
At present, two resource centres run by the Home Affairs Department provide free advice from voluntary solicitors, accountants, surveyors and engineers.
In response to a Court of Appeal ruling, the official said the Government could become a defendant if it participated in management of buildings whenever legal disputes arose.
'Public funds could be used if the court ruled an owners' corporation had to pay damages. This is just not right,' he said.
