Knock knock: Ombudsman urges crackdown on missing Hong Kong door numbers

The Rating and Valuation Department is not diligent enough in ensuring door numbers are displayed on all buildings, the government watchdog says.

Ombudsman Connie Lau Yin-hing said the department's lax approach to the problem not only inconvenienced the public and tourists, it might even hinder emergency services.

An investigation by her office found the lack of building numbers was more serious in older districts and buildings that had been renovated.

The inquiry also revealed that the department did not monitor the proper display of building numbers and there were no guidelines for officers explaining actions to take against offenders.

A senior investigation officer, Wendy Mark Ng-Quinn Wan-yee, said although the department conducted seven inspections across the city between 1992 and 2010, they lacked "intensity" as the buildings and shops checked were widely scattered.

"The inspections were rather simple and not systematic," she said. "Even the department is not kept abreast of the situation."