Hong Kong fire: authorities seek to dissolve Wang Fuk Court owners’ committee

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen said on Friday that the government was intervening for the first time on record in an estate’s affairs by applying to the Lands Tribunal to dissolve the management committee of the owners’ corporation, under the Building Management Ordinance, and appoint developer Chinachem Group’s Hop On Management as a provisional manager to oversee the property.

She stressed that the owners’ interests in the property and authority in the corporation would remain unchanged. Hop On would advise them on property management matters on a pro bono basis, the minister said.

“Wang Fuk Court’s management is facing an unprecedented challenge, especially follow-up work after major renovation works, relevant project contracts, the handling of maintenance accounts, insurance compensation and estate management and security after the current management company’s contract expires,” Mak said.

“Many residents may not be able to handle such complicated matters,” she added, pointing to the complexity, scale and urgency of the issues.

She said that the government had also received feedback from residents who hoped authorities could take over the management of the corporation.