The Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) presents to the Legislative Council today the “PMSA Annual Report 2020-21” (“Annual Report”) which has been published in accordance with the requirement stipulated in the “Property Management Services Ordinance” (Cap. 626) (the Ordinance).
The Annual Report summarises the PMSA’s key accomplishments from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021 and outlines the future development plans. The Property Management Services (Licensing and Related Matters) Regulation (the Regulation) for the implementation of the property management licensing regime (licensing regime) was submitted to the Legislative Council over the year and smoothly went through the “negative vetting” legislative procedure. The licensing regime then came into operation on 1 August 2020 in accordance with the Ordinance and the Regulation, which laid a new milestone for the development of the property management (PM) industry.
To tie in with the operation of the licensing regime, within the year of 2021-22, the PMSA had formulated Codes of Conduct and Best Practice Guides covering different PM areas to provide practical guidelines for the operation of the industry and enhance its professional standard. The PMSA had also launched the PMSA Specified Courses (Specified Courses) for PM practitioners who possess the specified work experience but do not meet the relevant criteria for academic and/or professional qualifications to apply for provisional licence and attend the Specified Courses. Upon successful completion of the Specified Courses, they may apply for formal licence to continue to provide PM services in accordance with the statutory requirements. On the other hand, the PMSA had also implemented the “Anti-epidemic Support Scheme for Property Management Sector” (ASPM) under the “Anti-epidemic Fund” launched by the Government to provide financial support to frontline PM workers so as to recognise their contributions and encourage the PM industry to jointly fight the pandemic.
The PMSA Chairperson Mr Tony TSE said, “As at the end of September 2021, the PMSA had issued more than 4,000 property management practitioner (PMP) and property management company (PMC) licences, promulgated seven sets of Codes of Conducts and related Best Practice Guides. Moreover, a total of 49 Specified Courses had been rolled out, enrolling nearly 1,500 students.”
Chairperson TSE added, “In addition, the PMSA had also also completed the implementation of the ASPM and exceeded its target by granting over HK$1.1 billion subsidies, benefiting nearly 40,000 properties and more than 160,000 frontline PM workers in total.”
The PMSA would continue to formulate Codes of Conduct and Best Practice Guides covering different PM areas so as to promote integrity and competence of the industry through the provision of more and comprehensive practical guidelines. The PMSA would also introduce the “Continuing Professional Development Scheme” to encourage PMPs to develop a culture of continuous learning and enhance their professional standard. The PMSA would review the licence application procedure with a view to enhancing the service level and improving the efficiency of the vetting work so that PMCs and PMPs could more conveniently apply for licence.
Under the licensing regime, all PMCs providing properties (subject to deeds of mutual covenant) in Hong Kong with more than one category of prescribed PM services, as well as PMPs assuming managerial or supervisory role in such PMCs for providing PM services, must hold valid PM licence starting from 1 August 2023 onwards in order to continue providing PM services in accordance with the Ordinance.
The Annual Report has been uploaded to the PMSA website. Please refer to the link below for details:
https://www.pmsa.org.hk/wp-content/uploads/PMSAAR2020-21_E.pdf
Ends/Wednesday, 20 October 2021
Issued at HKT 16:00
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