The new Total Maintenance Scheme will bring more jobs in property, facility, construction and maintenance management, and building surveying, Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands Thomas Chan says.

"Although expenditure on all maintenance and repair works generated by the scheme amounts to $6.3 billion over a five-year period, the benefits resulting will prove to be money well spent," he said.

Speaking at the Institute of Surveyors' luncheon today, Mr Chan said the scheme has been built on a three-pronged approach - to identify maintenance problems proactively and comprehensively, to respond promptly to emergencies and tenants' requests for repairs, and to enhance communication and promote building care culture amongst tenants and service providers.

Maintenance database

Inspection ambassadors, most of them surveying graduates, will be appointed to provide one-stop service for in-flat inspections and arrange for minor touch-ups on the spot as required. To keep track of in-flat maintenance work and monitor estate improvement programmes, a database will be formed to record maintenance history.

A maintenance hotline will be established through which a one-stop service will be provided for tenants to lodge complaints. Feedback from tenants on service satisfaction level will also be sought and followed up.

Noting the Housing Department relies heavily on property service agents and maintenance contractors to deliver quality maintenance initiatives, Mr Chan said the tendering awarding process and contract renewal strategy will be reviewed and the quality auditing process streamlined to tighten regulatory actions against adverse performance.