The Housing Bureau has recently put forward a provisional scheme to subsidise the maintenance of public facilities of low-rise buildings. The scheme is only applicable to buildings whose maximum number of storeys is seven and whose minimum age is 30 years. Applications can be filed by either a proprietor who presents a letter of consent with the signatures of over 50% of the building’s owners, the management committee elected through a legal procedure or the concerned property management. Subsidies will cover the fee for the upkeep or replacement of the main gate, general power and water supply facilities and sewage facilities. The subsidies for each building will not exceed MOP110,000. The Building Maintenance Fund will grant the subsidies and the scheme will run for one year.

To qualify for the subsidy scheme, properties must be registered as residential or commercial buildings with the Commercial Registry. The maximum subsidised amount for the main gates, power facilities, water facilities and sewage facilities will be MOP15,000, MOP40,000, MOP40,000 and MOP15,000 respectively. Subsidy applications for the same items cannot be made within one year upon commencement of the scheme. In addition, the subsidy application must be submitted to the Housing Bureau within one year upon commencement of the scheme and prior to the commencement of works.

The Administration Committee of the Housing Repair and Maintenance Fund of the Housing Bureau will be responsible for the examination and approval of applications. Approvals of applications will be based on the financial status of the Housing Repair and Maintenance Fund. Applicants can choose to receive a one-off subsidy or subsidies by instalments. Relevant contractors are required, upon completion of relevant works, to submit certificates of works completion and relevant expenditure chits. Subsidies will only be granted when the examination and approval processes are completed.

For details of the subsidy scheme, residents are invited to contact the Housing Bureau on hotline 2859 4875 or visit its website at http://www.ihm.gov.mo.