Hong Kong approves first subdivided units meeting basic housing standards

Hong Kong authorities have approved the city’s first three subdivided units to comply with official minimum standards, with the successful applicant urging landlords to seek professional help to avoid wasting time and money.

Hayson Chan Hin-hay said the Housing Bureau had approved his three subdivided units in a flat in Sham Shui Po as “basic housing units” last week. Chan, chairman of the Hong Kong Basic Housing Units Operators Association, said he filed the application in late May.

Under the Basic Housing Units Ordinance, which took effect on March 1, only subdivided flats that meet the minimum living standards and have been certified can be leased on the market.

A “basic housing unit” must measure at least eight square metres (86 sq ft), have a ceiling height of 2.3 metres (7.5 feet), a window and a waterproof toilet, among other safety, hygiene and fire safety requirements.

Chan, who runs Rent to Rent Innovation, a property company that operates and renovates subdivided flats, said he had spent HK$151,700 since March to upgrade his three subdivided units on Cheung Sha Wan Road.

The work included installing new drainage pipes, fire-rated doors, fire safety equipment, individual utility meters and ventilation fans, among other items. The flats did not require layout changes.