The Government announced today that property owners and residents affected by the fire at Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po will not need to settle the tax demand notes issued to them for the 2024-25 assessment year.

To ease the financial burden on Wang Fuk Court residents and the families of the deceased during this difficult time, the Government will waive the affected property owners’ and residents’ unsettled balance of tax payable for the 2024-25 assessment year, and the provisional tax payable for the 2025-26 assessment year. 

Furthermore, the government rent will be paid on behalf of the affected property owners and residents, and the rates for domestic tenements that became inhabitable due to the fire will be waived.    

The Government will also waive Wang Fuk Court residents' water and sewage charges from July to November this year.

Regarding electricity tariffs and telecommunications service fees, CLP Power Hong Kong has waived November electricity tariffs for the affected customers, and will arrange deposit refunds as soon as possible.

Telecommunications operators have also offered service fee waivers, free rental of smart phones and free pre-paid SIM cards; while Sinopec (Hong Kong) Gas Company has offered a full waiver of November liquefied petroleum gas bills for all affected customers.

​In view of the Tai Po fire, the Chief Executive has instructed all government departments to be considerate to Wang Fuk Court residents and provide as much support to them as possible, by flexibly handling relevant government fees and bills.

The Immigration Department has waived service charges for residents to replace their identity documents; all injured individuals admitted to public hospitals under the Hospital Authority will receive full fee waivers for all necessary healthcare services, including drugs and medical devices, throughout the entire process of their treatment and rehabilitation; and the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department will waive fees for columbarium and related services.