The Housing Authority (HA) Subsidised Housing Committee today endorsed measures to enhance the Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement in Public Housing Estates which will take effect in the fourth quarter of this year.

Penalty points for nine misdeed items related to environmental hygiene, public safety and serious breach of tenancy agreement will be increased, and the scope of two misdeed items on environmental hygiene and serious breaches of tenancy agreement will be widened.

The penalty of the nine misdeed items will be increased to seven to 15 points.

They include: littering; disposing of refuse indiscriminately; allowing animal and livestock under charge to foul public places with faeces; obstructing corridors or stairs with sundry items that render cleansing difficult; causing noise nuisance; dumping or disposing of decoration debris indiscriminately at refuse collection point, within building or in other public areas; damaging down/sewage pipes causing leakage to the flat below; damaging or stealing HA property; and using leased premises for illegal purposes.

The misdeed of “damaging down/sewage pipes causing leakage to the flat below” will lead to a penalty increase of seven to 15 points and render the warning system no longer applicable.

Additionally, the scope of two misdeed items will be broadened.

“Refusing repair of leaking pipes or sanitary fittings responsible by the tenant" will be amended to "failure to repair pipes or sanitary fittings for which the tenant is responsible or to rectify unauthorised alterations as demanded by HA".

"Illegal hawking of cooked food" be amended to "illegal hawking of commodities or services; supplying, promoting, soliciting or advertising of commodities or services that is commercial in nature but without HA’s prior approval".

The HA has reviewed the marking scheme and will adopt the enhanced measures to tie in with the Government's proposal to raise the fixed penalty level for offences related to public cleanliness and obstruction so as to provide a safe and hygienic living environment for public rental housing residents.

Publicity on the revised marking scheme will be stepped up and reminders issued to residents prior to implementation of the measures.