appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

liveArticle

appConfig

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sectionsV2

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

json

SCMP Editorial

It says something about Hong Kong’s housing conundrum when the government opts for a watered-down regulatory approach towards the notorious subdivided flats.
Instead of outlawing all such units as previously anticipated, those that meet certain requirements will be allowed to operate under a new law.
Given these subpar dwellings are now home to tens of thousands of people, a sweeping and immediate ban seems unrealistic.
But striking a balance between acceptable living standards and basic housing needs remains the key.
Under the proposed legislation, only subdivided flats that have been registered and meet the new requirements – known as “basic housing units” – can be offered for lease in future.
Each has to be at least 86 sq ft with a ceiling height of two metres (6.6 feet), and must come with a toilet with a ventilation system, in addition to fulfilling fire and structural safety standards.
A consultation on the requirements will be launched later this year.
Tagging such accommodation with a nicer label does not necessarily make it less shameful. Officials denied that was the intention. However, if the minimum standards still fall short of what is expected of an affluent international city, the problem will prevail, as will negative perceptions of Hong Kong.
Indeed, when the previous administration introduced another law in 2022 targeting rent increases and abuses common among these cubicle living spaces, there were already concerns that the problem would be further entrenched.
It would not be surprising if some see it as further legitimising what is essentially unacceptable to many. But for those who cannot afford more decent housing, their prime concern is probably about whether they will still have a roof over their head and whether the regulation will drive up rents.
The mushrooming of these shoebox dwellings, many of which are in breach of fire and building safety laws, owes much to the slack enforcement and overheated property market over the years.
The problem would not have become so widespread had the authorities taken more proactive actions to address the situation.
It is said that some 70 per cent of the existing 110,000 units had the potential of meeting the new requirements.
But the ones illegally built on roof tops and inside industrial buildings definitely do not stand a chance. The impact will become even greater if the substandard units in residential blocks are not rectified ahead of enforcement.
The authorities should proceed carefully at every stage. In addition to working out realistic and acceptable housing standards, officials must closely monitor the impact so as to minimise unintended consequences on tenants and the housing market.
Striking the right balance remains the challenge.


Forget Hong Kong and Singapore, Philippines housing is least affordable: survey

Hong Kong home sales outlook firm even as demand ebbs at Tseung Kwan O project

Landlords of 5,557 subdivided homes seek 3-year grace period to fix flats

Day 10 of Tai Po probe: fire department admits delays, ‘inadequate’ safety assessments

Hong Kong housing

New rules just first step to ending scourge of subdivided flats in Hong Kong

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


Hong Kong’s small flats will drive international talent elsewhere

A furnished show flat of a residential development in 2022. Hong Kong has earned its reputation for extremely high property prices and very small flats. Who else among the world’s advanced economies offers flats of 200 sq ft for sale? Photo: Xiaomei Chen 


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

33,000 households to move as John Lee aims to tackle Hong Kong subdivided flat issue

Subdivided flats in Cheung Sha Wan. According to census figures from 2021, Hong Kong has 108,200 subdivided flats, 17 per cent more than the 92,700 recorded in 2016. Photo: Eugene Lee

Wong Chi-cheung, 80, lives in a cage home of less than 20 sq ft in an old building in Sham Shui Po and pays a monthly rent of HK$2,500 (US$320). “This is the best housing option I have for now,” the retiree said, adding that he relied on his children for support. He said the environment in his area was well-known for being unsafe. “My only wish is to live in a public rental flat,” said Wong, who shares a kitchen and toilet with 10 other tenants in the same flat. He said rather than regulating subdivided flats, the government should increase the number of public rental flats. “I do not care about the latest regulation mentioned by the government,” he said, adding the new measures would take years to take effect. Photo: Dickson Lee

William Chan* runs about 100 subdivided flats, ranging from 50 sq ft to 200 sq ft, in old single-block buildings in Yau Ma Tei, Sham Shui Po and Cheung Sha Wan. Chan, who is in his forties, said up to 20 per cent of his subdivided homes would fall below the proposed standards of “basic housing units”. He was concerned about the financial burden on seeking professional approval and rectifying the substandard ones. “I am just a businessman. I will comply with the law … But I will not operate new subdivided flats due to the high cost,” he said. *Names changed at the request of interviewee. Photo: Eugene Lee

Opinion

Minimum requirements under proposed legislation must meet the needs of Hongkongers, who rightly expect more in such an affluent city


Minimum requirements under proposed legislation must meet the needs of Hongkongers, who rightly expect more in such an affluent city.


Hong Kong society

Hong Kong property

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Column

Editorial

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Minimum requirements under proposed legislation must meet the needs of Hongkongers, who rightly expect more in such an affluent city

Minimum requirements under proposed legislation must meet the needs of Hongkongers, who rightly expect more in such an affluent city