The Housing Department today expressed appreciation to the Office of the Ombudsman for recognising the initiative of the Housing Authority and the department in implementing measures to address water dripping from air conditioners in public housing estates.

The department was responding to the Ombudsman’s direct investigation report into the management of its housing estates in respect of dripping from air conditioners, adding that it accepts the report’s recommendations and will streamline the workflow to ensure such cases can be promptly addressed.

The department said that it has implemented multiple measures to address the issue in public housing estates, including the launch of a programme as early as 2006 to put in place condensation drain pipes in public rental housing (PRH) flats to facilitate the discharge of condensation water from air conditioners.

Water dripping from air conditioners has also been included in the Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement in Public Housing Estates since 2008, with follow-up actions by daily patrols and inspections by special operation teams.

In addition, the department has adopted information technology, including the trial of the "Mobile Application System for Daily Patrol" which enables frontline security personnel and building supervisors to report cases of water dripping from air conditioners in real time.

The number of complaints regarding water dripping from air conditioners has decreased by 93% from approximately 18,900 cases in 2005 to an average of about 1,300 cases per year from 2022 to 2024, accounting for 0.16% of about 800,000 PRH households.

The department pointed out that the statistics clearly reflect the effectiveness of the measures in handling cases of water dripping from air conditioners.

Moreover, it further implemented measures in December 2024 by giving households concerned five days to rectify any water dripping problems from their air conditioners or else action would be taken immediately under the Marking Scheme.

Additionally, enforcement efficiency has been improved by allowing security supervisors in all public housing estates to issue "Notification Slips" to the households concerned on the spot.

Apart from boosting staff training and supervision of outsourced property management companies, the department emphasised that when it comes to strengthening publicity, it will strengthen the education for PRH households, reminding the residents to regularly maintain and repair air conditioners.

As households may not be aware of water dripping from their air conditioners, the department encourages affected individuals to provide information and work together to identify the source of such water leaks.