********************************************************
The Housing Department will resume the provision of tenant-to-pay (TTP) repairs service to all Public Rental Housing (PRH) households from March 1.
"There is an apparent need for the Housing Authority to revisit the provision of the TTP repairs service both to provide customer-oriented service to tenants as well as to keep our properties in good repair," the Deputy Director of Housing (Estate Management), Mr Lau Kai-hung, said today (January 30).
The TTP repairs service was suspended in April, 1999, for all PRH households with the exception of elderly households and households with disabled members in view of difficulties faced by these households in making their own arrangement.
"A review of the TTP repairs service conducted by the department recently showed that many tenants had allowed defects inside their flats to deteriorate rather than procure repairs services from the open market," Mr Lau said.
"This was either due to the tenants' neglect or difficulties in procuring the services in the market," he said, adding that minor TTP items, if not timely and properly tackled, would deteriorate into major maintenance issues.
Stressing that the total cost including administrative costs for TTP repairs service would be fully recovered from tenants, Mr Lau said that reduced charges would be collected from households in hardship or tenants on the Rent Assistance Scheme, as with the current practice.
Mr Lau reminded PRH tenants that under the tenancy agreement the Housing Authority would be responsible for costs incurred in repairs or replacement of fixtures and fittings falling within the scope of fair wear and tear while charges of items due to careless use, willful damage by tenants/licensees or their family members should be paid by the tenants/licensees (please see attachment for details).
Ends/Monday, January 30, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:02
NNNN