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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 1987
MR CHENG SAID THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT WOULD DETERIORATE WHEN THE BUILDINGS WERE OCCUPIED MOSTLY BY TENANTS WHO WERE NOT INTERESTED IN PROTECTING THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY.
BUILDINGS IN THE
THERE ARE ABOUT 1,300 PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT AND SOME 900 WERE BUILT BEFORE 1965 IN DENSELY POPULATED AREAS.
THESE BUILDINGS HAVE GIVEN RISE TO A HOST OF ENVIRONMENTAL NUISANCES, SUCH
HEALTH HAZARDS, OBSTRUCTION TO FIRE ESCAPES, ILLEGAL STRUCTURES AND DILAPIDATION OF THE BUILDING STRUCTURE.
A BUILDING MANAGEMENT CO-ORDINATING TEAM WAS SET UP IN THE DISTRICT IN 1985 TO ENHANCE OWNERS' KNOWLEDGE OF BUILDING MANAGEMENT, CO-ORDINATE GOVERNMENT EFFORTS AND CARRY OUT LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION TO EFFECT IMPROVEMENT. ·
1
"IN THE TWO YEARS, THE TEAM HAS EFFECTED VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL AND SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS TO 65 BUILDINGS WHICH HAD BEEN TARGETTED FOR ATTENTION.
"IT IS GRATIFYING TO NOTE THAT MORE THAN HALF OF THE TEAM'S PROPOSALS WERE IMPLEMENTED. AND ONE OUTSTANDING SUCCESS WAS THAT THE TEAM MANAGED TO RECTIFY SOME 70 ILLEGAL STRUCTURAL DEFECTS ΤΟ A BUILDING," MR CHENG SAID.
BESIDES PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO MANAGEMENT BODIES, THE GOVERNMENT ALSO SOUGHT ΤΟ AMEND LEGISLATION REGARDING BUILDING MANAGEMENT, HE SAID.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING AMENDING THE MULTI-STOREY BUILDING (OWNERS INCORPORATION) ORDINANCE TO SIMPLIFY THE FORMATION OF AN OWNERS' CORPORATION. THUS 20 PER CENT OF THE OWNERS MAY APPLY TO THE SECRETARY OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION то FORM AN OWNERS' CORPORATION.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO LAYING DOWN A SET OF GUIDELINES FOR THE DMC TO BE APPLIED TO NON-INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS APPROVED SINCE EARLY 1986.
"THE GUIDELINES
SEEK то PROTECT THE INTEREST OF PROPERTY OWNERS AND STIPULATE VARIOUS MANAGEMENT MATTERS, INCLUDING THE TENURE OF OFFICE OF A MANAGEMENT AGENT APPOINTED BY
THE DEVELOPER; THE RESTRICTIONS IN CHARGING FEES; THE LIABILITY IN COLLECTION OF MANAGEMENT FEES; COMPULSORY INSURANCE FOR BUILDINGS AND THE LISTING
OF COMMON AREAS," HE SAID.
DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE CONSULTED ON THE GUIDELINES AND THE AMENDMENTS, HE ADDED.
/TO ENCOURAGE