Subsidized Housing Exterior Walls Defective After One Year, Residents Urge Full Repainting
HK01 · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago5 MIN
Summary
On Pak Court (安柏苑), a subsidized sale housing development from the Home Ownership Scheme 2024, is facing serious exterior wall defects after just one year of occupation. Residents first reported water seepage issues in October last year, and following heavy rainstorms in July and August 2026, extensive bubbling and cracking appeared across the building facade. The Housing Department has acknowledged "minor craftsmanship defects" and instructed contractor Shiu On Construction to conduct repairs, but owners are demanding a complete repainting of the entire exterior before the maintenance warranty expires in November .
Key Points
- On Pak Court is an HOS 2024 development where residents began moving in around mid-2025
- In October 2025, owners reported multiple water seepage issues including unsealed pipe openings and improper sealing around utility conduits
- After July and August 2026 rainstorms, exterior walls developed extensive bubbling and cracking resembling a "meteorite surface"
- Surveyor Kenney Lai Ka-man, Chairman of the Building Surveying Division at the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, identified workmanship problems likely caused by improper surface preparation or incompatible paint materials
- The Housing Department stated that preliminary inspections show only "localized minor cracks, bubbles, and stains" requiring targeted repairs by September
- The maintenance warranty expires in November 2026, leaving owners concerned about bearing future repair costs
- The Housing Department will enhance its inspection system covering contract requirements, construction supervision, and completion testing
Why It Matters
This case highlights potential gaps in quality control for subsidized housing projects, with experts questioning whether the Housing Department's acceptance procedures were adequate. As warranty periods expire across newer HOS developments, the resolution of this dispute will set a precedent for how construction defects are handled and who bears responsibility for repairs at taxpayer-funded housing projects .
This case highlights potential gaps in quality control for subsidized housing projects, with experts questioning whether the Housing Department's acceptance procedures were adequate. As warranty periods expire across newer HOS developments, the resolution of this dispute will set a precedent for how construction defects are handled and who bears responsibility for repairs at taxpayer-funded housing projects .