Government Revises Building Management Ordinance, Proposes Tech Solutions for Proxy Votes
HK01 · 6 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The public consultation on amendments to the Building Management Ordinance (Cap. 344) has concluded, with the government receiving 500 responses, of which over half expressed reservations about setting limits on proxy votes, citing practical operational difficulties. Civil and Youth Affairs Secretary McPeake Mak appeared on RTHK's "Saturday Report" program to explain the latest amendment proposals. The government has decided not to impose hard limits on proxy votes for now, but will instead study technology-based solutions through the iAM Smart platform. A pilot program for electronic proxy handling is expected to launch by the end of next year, initially covering large estates and single-block buildings.
Key Points
- The government decided not to set limits on proxy votes, as property management companies cannot determine which authorization forms were submitted first in physical voting scenarios .
- Property management companies must spot-check a minimum of 20% of proxy votes, with the Property Management Services Authority to issue codes of conduct ensuring thorough verification .
- The quorum for owner meetings on major repair works remains at 10% of owners, but a three-tier in-person voting threshold applies based on cost per household: 5% or 100 households for works costing HK$30,000 per unit, increasing to 10% for works costing HK$120,000 per unit .
- A mandatory project briefing session must be held seven days before owner meetings on major repair works, with tender results and analysis required before the meeting can proceed to a vote .
- The government plans a pilot program by end of next year testing an electronic platform for proxy handling, with the iAM Smart system potentially used for electronic authorization verification .
Why It Matters
These amendments address longstanding concerns about governance in Hong Kong's thousands of residential buildings, where building management disputes have occasionally led to legal battles and property management irregularities. The proposed technology solutions could modernize an antiquated system while maintaining accessibility for elderly residents in older buildings, potentially setting a precedent for how digital governance can be implemented alongside traditional procedures in community management.
These amendments address longstanding concerns about governance in Hong Kong's thousands of residential buildings, where building management disputes have occasionally led to legal battles and property management irregularities. The proposed technology solutions could modernize an antiquated system while maintaining accessibility for elderly residents in older buildings, potentially setting a precedent for how digital governance can be implemented alongside traditional procedures in community management.