Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak said a move by the government to dissolve the management committee of the owners’ corporation of fire-ravaged Wang Fuk Court would not strip homeowners of their power in managing the Tai Po estate.

Speaking on a radio programme on Sunday, she also said the owners' corporation still exists as the legal representative of the estate's homeowners.

The government announced on Friday a property management company under Chinachem Group would replace the management committee to help residents handle complicated legal and accounting matters after the blaze that claimed at least 161 lives.

"As we are appointing a management committee, they are assisting the owners' corporation in managing residents' day-to-day work in accordance with the Building Management Ordinance, including the handling of contracts or the management of the buildings and so on," Mak said.

"If the committee is making major decisions, it must hold an owner's meeting, which includes issuing a notice 14 days in advance, writing an agenda, and giving enough information to the owners to make a clear decision when it wants to make decisions."

She also said various factors had been taken into consideration in the choice of the property management company, Hop On Management, including the ability to provide professional services while reducing the financial burden on homeowners.

Mak said the company has about 40 years of industry experience, with its own legal and surveying teams.