URA

OPERATING REVIEW 30 have both increased by over 50%. Whilst the OBB 1.0 programme has been substantially completed, the 2017 Policy Address announced in October the OBB 2.0 and the Fire Safety Improvement Works Subsidy Scheme. As the Government’s partner in implementing these two new initiatives, the URA has conducted ten district briefing sessions from March to early April in 2018 targeting potential applicants and is finalising implementation details with the Government. 10 briefing sessions for building owners on Operation Building Bright 2.0 and Fire Safety Improvement Works Subsidy Scheme were organised in March and early April 2018. Integrated Building Maintenance Assistance Scheme Since 2004 and until the end of 2017/18, about 1,490 building blocks comprising around 65,500 units have been rehabilitated under the IBMAS. Out of the 1,490 building blocks, about 220 building blocks (around 7,700 units) were rehabilitated during 2017/18. In addition, about 640 Owners’ Corporations (OC) have been formed under the Owners’ Corporation Formation Subsidy of IBMAS. Currently, there are a total of 790 IBMAS cases in progress (about 640 cases for common-area repair works and about 150 cases for OC formation). The subsidiary legislation on the implementation of MBIS covering all buildings of 30 years old or above came into force on 30 June 2012; and the URA duly launched the MBISS in conjunction with the HKHS on 7 August 2012. Under this Scheme, the URA will assist building owners to arrange the first inspections of buildings within its RSAs, subject to statutory notices issued by the Buildings Department. Owners of buildings that, upon inspection, are required to carry out repair and maintenance works may apply for rehabilitation works assistance under IBMAS, where a one-stop continual building care service by the URA is available. By the end of 2017/18, out of the 1,400 MBIS target buildings (domestic and composite buildings) located in URA’s RSAs, owners of about 900 buildings have been contacted. From these 900 buildings, 457 applications have been received, and approvals-in-principle have been granted to 455 buildings. Apart from implementing the OBB 2.0, of which the URA is the sole administrator, the URA will also take over MBISS in HKHS’s Service Areas in order to provide a coherent and effective service. The URA will then act as the single authority to implement MBISS for compliance with MBIS by undertaking inspections and repair works. ‘Smart Tender’ Building Rehabilitation Facilitating Services In May 2016, the URA launched the ‘Smart Tender’ Building Rehabilitation Facilitating Services Scheme (Smart Tender) to provide technical services to the Owners Corporations (OCs) of private buildings and reduce the risk of tender-rigging at the works procurement stage. The Scheme is an initiative introduced in response to the 2016 Policy Address. It seeks to help building owners procure contractors independently to carry out rehabilitation works with practical tools, independent professional advice, and an electronic tendering platform. The Government’s 2017/18 Budget has earmarked $300 million to allow property owners to join the Smart Tender at a concessionary rate which will benefit around 3,000 owners’ organisations over a period of five years. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 3 October 2017 between the Government and the URA that stipulates the establishment of a concession fund and the implementation framework of the concession scheme for Smart Tender. Until 30 June 2018, about 600 applications had been received, of which 445 have been approved with service agreements issued to the concerned OCs.