Property management covers all types of premises in Hong Kong, including:
|
Residential |
> single private residential buildings, housing estates |
|
Commercial |
> shopping arcades, banks, hotels, office buildings |
|
Industrial |
> factory buildings, warehouses |
|
Public services |
> government offices, hospitals, recreation & sports facilities |
In accordance with Building Management Ordinance (Cap.344), an owners’ corporation can authorise a management agency to enforce their obligations delineated in the Deed of Mutual Covenant (a legal document with binding effect on all signatories, assignees and successors, for setting out clear rules and responsibilities for owners, residents, tenants and property management agencies) for the control, management and administration of the building, for example, maintenance and renovation projects, financial management, recruitment of housing personnel and taking of insurance.
Each type of built environment has its special needs. As commercial buildings have more storeys, their building management agencies usually pay more attention to the proper functioning of the lifts. For shopping arcades, the major concerns are air-conditioning and hygiene level of the public area. In addition, the agencies also have to change decorations that match different seasons and festivals. As for industrial buildings, management companies place higher priority on keeping order in the car park and area for unloading trucks, clearing waste from production of goods, and ensuring that all fire escapes are not obstructed.
Companies providing comprehensive estate management consist of the following departments:
Security Department
This department is in charge of crime prevention and security. In co-operation with the Police, it devises anti-burglary and security measures, and manages security personnel, equipments and systems.
Management Services Department
This department executes routine management duties in relation to environmental hygiene, horticulture, repair work arrangements, enquiry services, complaints, operation of car parks, etc.
Technical Department
It undertakes checking and repairs of water and electricity supply systems, fire fighting installations, air-conditioning apparatus, etc.
Administration and Accounting Department
It provides administrative, legal and financial support to other departments. Its duties include hiring staff, keeping accounts, estimating expenditure and revenue, preparing annual budget, taking out insurance, and coordinating the work of different departments.
Community/Public Relations Department
It endeavors to build up good relations between the company and her clients through organising community activities such as seminars, picnics or training courses.
Property management touches a wide range of work that requires expertise in different areas. To fully discharge its function, a property management agency needs a team of multi-disciplinary professionals in the field of engineering, surveying, architecture, facilities management, maintenance and security, information technology, business management, law and accountancy. This section introduces the positions for daily management work. You can refer to other sections (“Building Services Engineering”, “Architect”, “Information Technology”, “Accountancy Profession”, “Surveying Profession”) for more information.
Building Management Resource Centres under Home Affairs Department
There are three Building Management Resource Centres, one each in Kowloon, on Hong Kong Island and in the New Territories. The Centres provide information, services and advice to building owners, residents, owners’ corporations, mutual aid committees & management bodies so as to assist them to improve the standards of management, safety and maintenance of their buildings.
Building Management Resource Centre (Hong Kong)
![]() | Unit 5, G/F, The Center, 99 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong |
![]() | 2186 8111 |
![]() | bmrc_hk@had.gov.hk |
Building Management Resource Centre (Kowloon)
![]() | G/F, 2 Mau Lam Street, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon |
![]() | 2332 9113 |
![]() | bmrc_kln@had.gov.hk |
Building Management Resource Centre (New Territories West)
![]() | 1st Floor, Tsuen Wan Station Multi-Storey Carpark Building, 174-208 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories |
![]() | 3515 5806 |
![]() | bmrc_ntw@had.gov.hk |
Building Management Resource Centre (New Territories East)
![]() | Room 510, 5/F, Sha Tin Government Offices, No.1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Sha Tin, N T |
![]() | 2158 5433 |
![]() | bmrc_nte@had.gov.hk |
Web site: http://www.buildingmgt.gov.hk/
There are many property management agencies in Hong Kong. Some of them are wholly owned by the development companies. Some others are surveying companies providing property management services at the same time. Still others are individual service providers solely run for property management. Division of work varies in different companies. Sizeable firms can usually afford more departments and positions with more specialised duties.