Hong Kong to propose building law amendments by year-end, focus on maintenance and professional regulation
Hong Kong's Development Bureau will propose amendments to the Buildings Ordinance by end-2026, targeting large-scale maintenance, professional accountability and contractor regulation. Key changes include separating inspection from renovation duties, requiring pre-approval for works, and immediate d
Hong Kong's Development Bureau plans to submit legislative proposals to amend the Buildings Ordinance to the Legislative Assembly by the end of 2026, Secretary for Development Ngon Hung-ho announced at a press conference on the Wang Fuk Court fire incident. The amendments aim to strengthen statutory regulation of large-scale building maintenance, construction works, professionals and contractors.
Under the proposals, large-scale maintenance would become a new standalone works category, enabling enhanced statutory oversight and higher penalties. All inspection reports under the mandatory building inspection scheme would need to be accepted by the Buildings Department before they can serve as a basis for renovation works. Currently requiring only notification, such projects would need prior approval from the Buildings Department, with professionals required to submit plans and supervision documents in advance. Penalties for violations would be significantly higher than for existing minor works.
The amendments would clearly define responsibilities and enhance professional independence. Inspection and post-inspection planning and supervision functions for the same maintenance project must be handled by different professionals, severing potential conflicts of interest. The revised ordinance would also empower the Buildings Department to directly initiate prosecution upon detecting violations, eliminating the need to argue about whether the breach caused harm, thereby improving enforcement efficiency.
Penalty mechanisms for professionals and contractors would be tightened, with a strict registration removal mechanism. Those found guilty of offences under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance or the Competition Ordinance would be immediately removed from the register without a disciplinary hearing. Disciplinary penalties would be substantially increased, and case handling would be accelerated.
The Buildings Department will begin a restructuring in the first quarter of 2027, establishing two divisions for new and existing buildings. It will adopt a district-based system, expanding from six to ten teams responsible for all types of inspection enforcement in their areas. District heads will convene cross-departmental task forces involving the Housing Bureau, Labour Department and Fire Services Department to strengthen coordination on mandatory inspections and related maintenance projects. An internal audit and monitoring unit will be set up within the department, reporting directly to the director.
