Reactions to the government’s plan to eradicate poor quality subdivided units (SDUs) were largely supportive, although there were also calls for the administration to ensure adequate follow-up actions to support affected tenants during the transition.

The proposed new laws require each unit to be at least eight square metres, or 86 square feet in size and have its own toilet and windows.

A concern group said it estimates that 20 percent of the city's 110,000 subdivided units would be affected under the scheme.

Kenny Ng from the Concerning Grassroot Housing Rights Alliance called on the government to come up with ways to make sure affected tenants had a place to live.

“The government didn't mention how to relocate those residents who are living in subdivided flats who will be affected under this scheme."

"Will they be arranged to some other housing for their relocation, or will they just let them rent other private housing themselves? If so, I think those deprived groups will rent some other subdivided flats which will be illegal,” he said.

Ng said the government could consider using unused public housing or transitional housing units to settle affected residents.

Meanwhile, an NGO that connects deprived groups with landlords said the government should establish a clear timeline for when the law will be in place.

Lai Kin-kwok from the ComHome Social Housing Platform also called for more detailed criteria regarding the minimum living standards for subdivided units.

“We can't find the timeline, especially when the law will be established and then how long the grace period is."

“I think from the information now, we don't know whether the windows can be opened or not... And regarding the eight square metres, I think that's the minimum standard, but it depends on how many residents are inside the eight square metres,” Lai said.

He anticipated that landlords of subdivided flats not affected by the proposed laws would consider increasing rents, saying he was disappointed the Policy Address did not address the need for a rent cap.

Sources said a two-month consultation will take place in December, with the aim of submitting related legislative proposals to Legco next year.

Speaking in a media briefing after the Policy Address, Chief Executive John Lee said it would take a few years to root out the problem.

"First of all, we'll have to pass the legislation, which I think the earliest will probably be next year. Then, we will introduce the registration period. My suggestion is either 12 months or 18 months," Lee said.

"Then we'll introduce the tolerance period for adjustments, structurally, to be made. That may be one year, two years, again subject to discussion by Legco."

According to the sources, penalties for landlords who fail to make improvements after the grace period would include possible imprisonment and fines.

But for a subdivided tenant surnamed Au, the law enforcement actions might not pose a deterrent effect to her landlord.

She pays a monthly rent of HK$2,500 for 20-square-foot room with no individual toilet and kitchen, a space that falls in the sub-standard SDU category.

“In this flat, if they combine two rooms and provide more than 90 [square] feet, I’m fine. They have a window, I’m fine. I don’t mind if there is no air conditioning. But I think my landlord will not change, he'll just pay the penalty without doing anything if the government penalises him,” Au said.

“The environment I have now, if I have to be honest, what difference is there from sleeping on the streets? It’s bad that there is no air con on the streets and dust and dirt is emitted from cars, but at least you feel more comfortable and have more space,” she added.

Au said she had doubts about whether the government could carry out its plan successfully and would stay in her unit until she gets allocated public housing.

“I have no idea what is going to happen tomorrow. Like if tomorrow I buy a lottery ticket, I don’t know if I will win,” she said.
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Last updated: 2024-10-16 HKT 17:18