https://www.scmp.com/rss/523731/feed The latest news and top stories on the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors. A Hong Kong-based professional association, the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) is dedicated to upholding professional standards and ethics for surveyors. Its main areas of focus include setting admission requirements, providing continuing professional development and advising the government on matters such as building safety and urban planning. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Fiona Chow Fiona Chow Hong Kong labour authorities have ruled out setting up designated smoking areas under a proposed ban on lighting up at construction sites due to “enforcement difficulties”, while pledging to deploy drones with heat sensors to strengthen inspections. Commissioner for Labour Sam Hui Chark-shum also said on Monday that the planned smoking ban – which was proposed in the wake of the deadly Tai Po fire last November – would apply to all areas of construction sites, replacing the existing restrictions... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3348427/authorities-rule-out-smoking-areas-construction-sites-under-proposed-ban?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3348427/authorities-rule-out-smoking-areas-construction-sites-under-proposed-ban?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:55:23 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Hongkonger Chan Sai-chiu considers the 60 sq ft subdivided flat he rents to be home, going out of his way to make the cramped space in Sham Shui Po’s ageing Yee Wa Building more liveable by repainting the walls and setting up his own kitchen. The 72-year-old considers the flat’s HK$3,000 (US$383) rent to be a perfect fit for his tight budget, as he lives off about HK$5,000 from social security payments and receives a rental subsidy of HK$2,500. The building also suits the retiree, who is... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344967/are-new-hong-kong-subdivided-flat-standards-triggering-wave-evictions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344967/are-new-hong-kong-subdivided-flat-standards-triggering-wave-evictions?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:30:08 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Some Hong Kong landlords have spent millions renovating their subdivided flats to be among the first to meet the new standards coming into effect on Sunday, but many others remain taken aback by the high costs and are unsure whether to proceed. Building experts have also warned of the challenges facing landlords seeking certification under the new law, including meeting waterproofing and fire safety requirements, which will require professional advice and supervision. Matthew Lau Chi-kwong, a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344935/hong-kong-landlords-split-over-costly-upgrades-meet-subdivided-housing-law?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344935/hong-kong-landlords-split-over-costly-upgrades-meet-subdivided-housing-law?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 00:00:15 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Harvey Kong Matthew Cheng,Harvey Kong Hong Kong authorities will spend about HK$6.8 billion (US$870 million) to buy back homes damaged in the deadly Tai Po fire from flat owners, offering HK$8,000 or HK$10,500 per square foot as part of a long-term resettlement plan involving HK$4 billion in public funds. Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun unveiled the plan on Saturday, ruling out on-site redevelopment of Wang Fuk Court and adding that authorities were inclined to demolish seven of the estate’s eight buildings and... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344204/hong-kong-spend-hk68-billion-buying-back-fire-ravaged-tai-po-flats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3344204/hong-kong-spend-hk68-billion-buying-back-fire-ravaged-tai-po-flats?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Feb 2026 07:46:11 +0000 Ng Kang-chung Ng Kang-chung Contractors at the centre of construction botches at three Hong Kong light public housing sites last year have been banned from bidding for public projects for up to a year, the government has said. The firm responsible for overseeing work quality, Able Engineering, has also been ordered to pay the extra costs for fixing the problems. It also faces a disciplinary hearing for alleged “serious negligence or misconduct in the construction works”, and a possible criminal investigation by police. The... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3340227/contractors-botches-lead-bans-bidding-hong-kong-public-projects?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3340227/contractors-botches-lead-bans-bidding-hong-kong-public-projects?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:49:21 +0000 Vivian Au Vivian Au Hong Kong will tighten declaration-of-interest rules after discovering that a surveyor arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over a deadly fire had failed to disclose his role at the estate ravaged by the blaze to the Housing Department, for which he worked as a service provider, the Post has learned. The Housing Department’s move to strengthen supervision followed the arrest of 68-year-old Steve Wong Chung-kee in connection with the fatal blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po last... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3339516/hong-kong-surveyors-undeclared-role-prompts-rule-review-after-deadly-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3339516/hong-kong-surveyors-undeclared-role-prompts-rule-review-after-deadly-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:30:26 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Hong Kong authorities estimate that acquiring all homes in fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po will cost about HK$6 billion (US$770 million), with officials saying that rebuilding on the site is “not really very practical”. The acquisition cost for flats on the housing estate was revealed on Saturday as an economist called on the government to invest funds donated to help residents, to generate returns that could bridge the financial gap for those waiting for new flats. Deputy Financial... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3339427/rebuilding-fire-ravaged-wang-fuk-court-not-practical-hong-kong-officials-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3339427/rebuilding-fire-ravaged-wang-fuk-court-not-practical-hong-kong-officials-say?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Jan 2026 05:46:13 +0000 Natalie Wong Natalie Wong Hong Kong authorities have launched a survey to gauge the long-term rehousing preferences of flat owners displaced by the devastating Tai Po blaze, offering nine options for new subsidised homes, including redeveloping the fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court by 2035 at the earliest. But some owners said on Friday that the acquisition prices the government had estimated for their flats were too low while suggesting officials also include the option of providing subsidies for them to buy second-hand... https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3339296/hong-kong-authorities-launch-survey-long-term-rehousing-plans-tai-po-fire-victims?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/article/3339296/hong-kong-authorities-launch-survey-long-term-rehousing-plans-tai-po-fire-victims?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jan 2026 06:34:02 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin Strengthening risk oversight in major maintenance projects in the wake of the deadly Tai Po fire is a top priority for Hong Kong lawmaker Julia Lau Man-kwan, who represents the architectural, surveying, planning and landscape sector. In an interview with the Post, Lau, who is also president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, pledged to ensure proper use of public funds in government works amid a deficit, and to remove development barriers to boost tourism in rural areas under the Northern... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3338578/new-hong-kong-lawmaker-julia-lau-vows-strengthen-risk-oversight-after-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3338578/new-hong-kong-lawmaker-julia-lau-vows-strengthen-risk-oversight-after-tai-po-fire?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Jan 2026 00:30:08 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Hong Kong authorities took market rates into account before setting a two-year annual subsidy of HK$150,000 (US$19,278) for flat owners displaced by the Tai Po fire, the city’s home affairs minister has said, amid calls for the government to monitor whether the new measure will further drive up rents in the area. Under the new measure, homeowners of the fire-damaged Wang Fuk Court will each receive the subsidy to rent homes in the private market, at a total cost of HK$1.2 billion. Both flat... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337056/market-rates-set-hong-kongs-hk150000-subsidy-tai-po-fire-victims-minister?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3337056/market-rates-set-hong-kongs-hk150000-subsidy-tai-po-fire-victims-minister?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Dec 2025 08:12:36 +0000 Wynna Wong Wynna Wong The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors has urged the government to enact dedicated legislation and establish a statutory body to expedite the buy-back of Wang Fuk Court flats after the deadly fire, to pave the way for rehousing affected residents. Former president of the institute Chiu Kam-kuen, now chairman of its housing policy panel, estimated that the total cost of repurchasing the flats would range from around HK$5 billion to HK$7 billion (US$642 million to US$899 million), depending on the... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3336469/fresh-start-hong-kong-urged-fast-track-buy-back-fire-hit-wang-fuk-court?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3336469/fresh-start-hong-kong-urged-fast-track-buy-back-fire-hit-wang-fuk-court?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Dec 2025 08:07:47 +0000 Edith Lin,Susan Su Edith Lin,Susan Su Hundreds of property owners in Hong Kong are grappling with uncertainties after 28 private buildings and estates were ordered to suspend renovation work carried out by a contractor linked to the deadly blaze at Wang Fuk Court and two other firms. Residents at three of the estates told the Post they had already spent millions of Hong Kong dollars on the projects and were now uncertain whether the work was proper or how long the delay would last, with some struggling to choose a new... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3335249/residents-hong-kong-estates-where-renovation-work-suspended-wonder-what-next?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3335249/residents-hong-kong-estates-where-renovation-work-suspended-wonder-what-next?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:30:19 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing The consultant behind the renovation of Wang Fuk Court, the housing estate reduced to ruins in Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in seven decades, is to close down as experts warn the case highlights limited protection for flat owners under the city’s corporate liability laws. The Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies told the Post on Wednesday that some of its members had been notified of the closure of Will Power Architects, the consultancy overseeing the HK$336 million (US$43.18... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3335237/flat-owners-warned-consultant-fire-hit-hong-kong-estate-signals-exit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3335237/flat-owners-warned-consultant-fire-hit-hong-kong-estate-signals-exit?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:20:36 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin A fifth of cubicles previously used as Covid-19 community isolation and treatment facilities in Hong Kong were damaged by two typhoons earlier this year and a “minor portion” will be demolished, authorities have confirmed. The Development Bureau revealed the latest status of the 4,500 modules on Tuesday, a week after the Post found that dozens had damaged walls and collapsed roofs at the Tseung Kwan O fill bank, which stores construction waste. “[Following] the recent two strong typhoons that... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3331644/typhoons-damage-20-hong-kong-covid-isolation-cubicles-reuse-plans-under-way?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3331644/typhoons-damage-20-hong-kong-covid-isolation-cubicles-reuse-plans-under-way?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Nov 2025 02:30:08 +0000