THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1984
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SPEAKING AT A MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON, MR WIGGHAM SAID THE ABSENCE OF PROPER BUILDING MANAGEMENT OVER THE YEARS RESULTED IN THE DETERIORATION OF BUILDINGS, THUS CREATING SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH PROBLEMS FOR TENANTS.
THE GOVERNMENT'S PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE SITUATION INCLUDE AMENDING VARIOUS ORDINANCES, FORMULATING A CODE OF PRACTICE AND SETTING UP CO-ORDINATING TEAMS TO ADVISE TENANTS.
+BUT ITS SUCCESS WOULD DEPEND ON THE MOTIVATION OF BUILDING OWNERS THEMSELVES,+ MR WIGGHAM SAID. TOUGHER MEASURES MAY HAVE TO BE ADOPTED IF BUILDING OWNERS DO NOT RESPOND TO THE GOVERNMENT'S INITIATIVES.+
THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE IS TO BE AMENDED TO MAKE THE SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION THE AUTHORITY TO WHOM THE OWNERS OF NOT LESS THAN 20 PER CENT OF THE UNDIVIDED SHARES OF A BUILDING CAN APPLY IF THEY WANT TO FORM AN OWNERS' CORPORATION. THE AMENDMENT WILL DO AWAY WITH THE PRESENT PRACTICE OF SUCH OWNERS APPLYING TO THE COURTS FOR PERMISSION TO MEET TO APPOINT A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE IS TO BE AMENDED TO MAKE IT A LEGAL REQUIREMENT FOR FLAT OWNERS TO EMPLOY SOMEONE TO CERTIFY ANNUALLY THAT HE HAS REGULARLY INSPECTED THE BUILDING AND THAT NO ILLEGAL STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN ERECTED OR ANY ILLEGAL ALTERATIONS MADE. THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WILL TAKE ACTION AGAINST OWNERS WHO FAIL TO PRODUCE SUCH A CERTIFICATE.
A LEGALLY ENFORCABLE CODE OF PRACTICE WILL BE FORMULATED TO DEAL WITH ABUSE OF POWERS AND CORRUPTION AMONG MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES OR OWNERS' CORPORATIONS. THE CODE STIPULATES THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF OWNERS' CORPORATION OFF ICE-BEARERS; THE DUTIES OF THE MANAGEMENT
COMMITTEES; TENDER ING AND PURCHASING PROCEDURES; AND DETAILED PROCEDURES FOR THE CONDUCT OF MEETINGS.
THE DEED OF MUTUAL COVENANT WILL, IN FUTURE, CONTAIN CLAUSES THAT WILL ENSURE THAT OWNERS CAN APPOINT A MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE IR OWN CHOICE AND IF A REASONABLE PROPORTION OF THEM WANT TO CHANGE THE TERMS OF THE DEED OF MUTUAL COVENANT THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DO SO. SOME EXISTING DMCS MAKE NO PROVISION FOR THE FORMATION OF OWNERS' CORPORATIONS; SOME APPOINT MANAGEMENT COMPANIES VIRTUALLY IN PERPETUITY; AND SOME FIX UNACCEPTABLY HIGH FEES AND ALLOW THE OWNERS LITTLE OR NO SAY AT ALL IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE IR BUILDING.
CO-ORDINATING TEAMS, LED BY HOUSING MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS, ARE TO BE SET UP IN SELECTED DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE HELP, ADVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO SET UP BUILDING MANAGEMENT BODIES.
+SO FAR, WE HAVE AVOIDED ANY STEPS TO MAKE MANAGEMENT OF BUILDINGS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT, AS WE BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING FUNDAMENTALLY CONTRADICTORY ABOUT REQUIRING PEOPLE TO IMPROVE THE IR ENVIRONMENT FOR THE IR OWN GOOD, AND THREATENING TO PUNISH THEM IF THEY CHOOSE NOT TO DO SO, MR WIGGHAM SAID.
+BUT IF OWNERS CANNOT RESPOND TO THE INITIATIVE BEING TAKEN, WE MAY YET HAVE TO TAKE THE RELUCTANT STEP OF LEGISLATING FOR COMPULSORY BUILDING MANAGEMENT, HE ADDED.
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