Know-How for Public Rental Housing Renovation and Reinstatement – Beware of Additional Costs
Whether it’s for beautifying their living environment or catering to family needs, many public housing tenants consider renovating their units. However, both before and after the renovation, they need to pay attention to the relevant regulations of the Hong Kong Housing Authority (HKHA) to avoid incurring high costs when reinstating the unit later on.
Before Renovation
The HKHA classifies the fixed installations in public rental housing units into three categories: Category A, Category B, and Category C.
- Category A: Strictly prohibited from removal or alteration, including structural walls, columns, beams, main entrance doors, kitchen doors, and toilet partition walls.
- Category B: Can be altered with prior approval from the HKHA, such as washbasins and kitchen worktops.
- Category C: Can be altered without approval, such as interior paint colors and door locks.
Therefore, before carrying out any renovation works, please consult the estate office of your respective housing estate to understand which installations can be altered, which require approval, and which are strictly prohibited from alteration.
Reinstatement Costs
When you need to move out of a public rental housing unit, whether due to successful applications for subsidized housing like Home Ownership Scheme or Green Form Subsidized Home Ownership Scheme, or for other reasons, you must reinstate the unit to its original condition upon intake.
The cost of reinstatement works depends on the extent of alterations you have made to the unit. Generally speaking, if you have removed or altered Category A installations like the main entrance door, kitchen door, or partition walls, the reinstatement cost could be significantly high. Some public housing tenants have shared that their reinstatement costs amounted to tens of thousands of dollars.
To avoid incurring high reinstatement costs in the future, think carefully before renovating, and refrain from altering Category A installations unless absolutely necessary. If alteration is indeed required, please seek prior approval from the HKHA.
Suggested Items for Tenants to Reinstate Themselves
Apart from certain items that must be reinstated by the HKHA, tenants can also reinstate certain installations themselves to save costs. Generally, these include:
- Washbasins
- Toilet bowls
- Water taps
- Overhead cabinets
- Interior paint colors
However, please consult the estate office of your respective housing estate first to understand which items you can reinstate yourself and which must be reinstated by the HKHA.