There's hope that a new scheme can help eliminate poorly managed, so-called "three-nil buildings" - which are blocks that lack owners’ corporations, property management services, or resident organizations.

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak says the joint building management scheme will involve the same property management company handling aged building clusters in the area.

The government will act as a middleman to link property owners with professionals from NGOs who can advise them on finding the right management company.

It will commence a one-year test in Yau Tsim Mong, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon City, and Tsuen Wan later this year.

Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme, Mak noted the project will help take care of aged buildings in the relevant areas.

“Aside from the three-nil buildings, there are some aging, single-block buildings in old districts that only have 10 to 20 households. Even if they manage to form an owners' corporation, hiring a management company can be expensive as the cost can be too high for just a few units to share. So, in most cases they just choose not to set one up,” she said.

Mak said the government has set aside HK$7 million for the project, with care teams and community NGOs helping to promote it.

The minister added that consultations have started in District Councils across the four districts and hoped that the project can commence by mid-year.