appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Edith Lin

Sherry Deng, a 34-year-old working mother in Hong Kong, could not be happier after finding a 130 sq ft subdivided flat in Tsuen Wan.
Last year, the single mother was desperately looking to move out of her old 70 sq ft home. The place was located next to a public toilet and had poor hygiene, while her neighbours’ drinking habits made her worry for her now seven-year-old son’s safety.
She checked rental notices posted on the street and even asked for listings on the instant messaging platforms WhatsApp and WeChat.
But Deng only managed to find a place after talking to ComHome Social Realty, the city’s first social enterprise to specialise in real estate rental services.
She said the organisation spent a few days going over her housing needs and locating suitable flats before showing her the properties in a day.
The mother said she opted for her current sixth-floor home because it had huge windows, a cooking space and an individual toilet, while the building had a rooftop common area where her son could play.
She was also exempted from paying commission fees, which would have cost the equivalent of half of her monthly rent of HK$4,600 (US$590).
The social enterprise also found Deng a home-moving service for just HK$300, with such options typically costing several thousand Hong Kong dollars.
“It has saved me time and trouble in looking for a new home,” she said. “I can save money for my son’s education expenses. I can also bring him out for dinner.”

In over a year and a half, ComHome has helped 17 families in need to find new living spaces.
Tackling poor-quality housing is also a cornerstone of city leader John Lee Ka-chiu’s latest policy address, which has laid out plans to eradicate subpar subdivided flats.
But the social enterprise urged authorities to incentivise some owners to rectify their properties to help secure a supply of quality subdivided housing that could be leased at affordable rates.
Under the government’s proposed shake-up, such homes must be a minimum size of 86 sq ft and have a ceiling height of two metres (6.6 feet).
The properties must have proper windows and at least one independent toilet, while also meeting fire and structural safety requirements.
The city currently has about 110,000 subdivided flats, with authorities noting that 30 per cent of them were below standard and the rest only required minor fixes.
The coming measures will also require landlords of subdivided flats to register their properties, with owners to be given a grace period of one to two years to make the necessary changes. The homes can still be leased out during that period.
If the flats fulfil government standards, they will be redesignated as “basic housing units” and can be leased legally on the market.
But a 78-year-old retiree surnamed Wong who halved her 520 sq ft home in Sham Shui Po and leased the other half for HK$7,200 per month said she expected it would be difficult for her to comply with the proposed standard.


“I can imagine spending a lot of money … The process will also be complicated,” she said, hoping the government would subsidise some of the renovation costs.
The landlord said she had trouble collecting rent that was in arrears and at one point had to pay HK$40,000 to fix damage done by a past tenant, adding that her property agent had been unhelpful in resolving the disputes.
Wong later turned to ComHome to help her find new tenants, with the social enterprise bringing in a mother and daughter looking to move from their old place due to family reasons.
ComHome also negotiated with Wong so the new tenants could pay the deposit in phases because of their tight savings.
“At least I have secured tenants and someone is there to help with the management,” the retiree said.
ComHome Social Housing Platform, the charity that manages the enterprise, noted there were property owners such as Wong who were relying on rental income from subdivided flats to make a living.
Lai Kin-kwok, the charity’s board chairman, said the government could consider providing subsidies to such owners to ensure compliance with the new standards, but in turn require them to lease their properties to low-income families below the market rate for a set period, such as four years.

“If the government just sets the restrictions, some owners may quit the market,” he said. “We hope a subsidy can increase the supply of subdivided flats with guaranteed quality.”
The charity also cited earlier remarks from government officials that 40 per cent of existing subdivided flat tenants would not qualify for public housing resources, raising concerns over whether the shake-up would leave residents displaced.
Lai suggested authorities set up teams of social workers and registered property agents to pair families in need with good-quality subdivided flats, adding that the social enterprise lacked the resources to build up a larger network.
In response to the Post’s inquiry, the Housing Bureau said subdivided flat operators had a “strong financial incentive” to comply with the coming standards as they could earn more from the aggregate rent of several flats than letting out an entire home.
“In fact, subdivided unit owners have been making considerable returns from the [tenancy] over the years, and it is reasonable for them to invest certain costs in conversion works to ensure a safe and appropriate living environment,” a spokeswoman said.
She added the government would regulate subdivided housing in a gradual and orderly manner to avoid creating confusion and panic, while authorities would provide appropriate support to affected tenants where necessary.


CLP director Betty Yuen sells Mid-Levels flat as Hong Kong luxury market improves

Adminstrator to ‘review’ tribunal decision on Wang Fuk Court owners’ meeting

Hong Kong tribunal rejects request to postpone Wang Fuk Court owners’ meeting

Calls for faster rehousing of evicted Hong Kong subdivided flat tenants

Hong Kong housing

Hong Kong social enterprise creates network to help tenants find better subdivided housing

Sherry Deng says she is happy to have secured a more spacious subdivided flat in Tsuen Wan. Photo: Elson Li

ComHome Social Housing Platform board chairman Lai Kin-kwok (left) says authorities should set up teams of social workers and registered property agents to pair families with good-quality subdivided flats. Photo: Elson Li

A common area for tenants in the building where Sherry Deng now rents a flat. Photo: Elson Li

Landlords of Hong Kong’s subdivided flats must renew registration every 5 years

A subdivided flat in Cheung Sha Wan. New government regulations require such flats to be registered and meet certain basic living criteria. Photo: Eugene Lee

A composited image shows Huang Chaixiang, 79, in her subdivided flat in Sham Shui Po. Photo: Eugene Lee

Hong Kong aims to start clamping down on landlords of subdivided flats from 2028: minister

The city currently has 110,000 subdivided flats. Photo: Eugene Lee

What is Hong Kong’s plan to eradicate worst subdivided flats and does it go far enough?

Subdivided homes must be at least 86 sq ft in size under the new rules. Photo: May Tse

Subdivided flats are formed by carving up a standard home into separate tiny spaces. Photo: Dickson Lee

News

Hong Kong

Society

ComHome Social Realty urges government to help subsidise renovation costs for landlords ahead of plans to clamp down on subpar flats


ComHome Social Realty urges government to help subsidise renovation costs for landlords ahead of plans to clamp down on subpar flats.


Hong Kong society

Hong Kong property

Hong Kong politics

John Lee

Hong Kong social enterprise creates network to help tenants find better subdivided housing

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}ComHome Social Realty urges government to help subsidise renovation costs for landlords ahead of plans to clamp down on subpar flats

ComHome Social Realty urges government to help subsidise renovation costs for landlords ahead of plans to clamp down on subpar flats