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HAD studies the setting up of Building Management Resource Centre

The Home Affairs Department (HAD) has formed a working group to study the setting up of a resource/enquiry centre on building management to provide more comprehensive assistance to members of the public, owners' corporations (OCs) and building management personnel, the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Shelley Lau, said today (Saturday).

Speaking at the Building Management Seminar '97, Mrs Lau hoped that the proposed centre would provide the necessary professional advice on building management including legal counsel, repair and maintenance of buildings, finance and personnel management.

"We are now inviting various professional organisations to join in the project and the working group will soon submit a report on the issue to the Secretary for Home Affairs for his consideration," she said.

Mrs Lau also detailed the measures taken by HAD to assist owners in improving building management and handling related problems.

"One of these measures is using legislative means to help owners carry out their building management duties and the Building Management Ordinance was amended in 1993 to facilitate the formation of OCs."

In order to enhance public understanding and arouse their concern over building management issues, HAD and its district offices have regularly organised promotional and educational activities on building management such as seminars, talks and training courses. Leaflets, booklets and videotapes on the subject have also been produced.

HAD is also actively encouraging and assisting owners to form OCs. The staff will pay regular visits to OCs once they are established to give advice on management issues.

As to buildings with management problems, Mrs Lau said nine Building Management Co-ordination Teams (BMCTs) had been formed in nine districts by HAD since 1985. These teams gave owners practical advice on the improvement of building management, and co-operated with other government departments in rendering assistance.