The Codes of Conduct entitled “Handling Emergencies” and “Handling Scaffolding Works” issued by the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) pursuant to Section 5(1) of the Property Management Services Ordinance (Cap. 626) will be gazetted and take effect tomorrow (July 29). The PMSA has also prepared the respective Best Practice Guides in order to enable property management company (PMC) and property management practitioner (PMP) licensees to comply with the guidelines stipulated in the two Codes of Conduct more effectively and professionally.
The PMSA Chairperson Mr Tony TSE said, “To provide practical guidance on various property management (PM) aspects for the PM industry, the PMSA actively communicates and consults with various stakeholders when formulating Codes of Conduct for the industry and the relevant Best Practice Guides to ensure that the Codes and Guides are comprehensive and effective thereby raising the professional standard and status of the industry of Hong Kong, thus driving the sustainable development of the industry and its advancement with times.”
The PMSA formulated the two Codes of Conduct and the respective Best Practice Guides in consultation with Government departments and agencies including the Home Affairs Department, the Fire Services Department, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Labour Department and the Construction Industry Council. The feedback collected from the consultation has been appropriately reflected in the Codes of Conduct and the Best Practice Guides.
“Handling Emergencies”
This Code of Conduct provides practical guidance on handling emergencies or unexpected situations (e.g. typhoons, adverse weather, flooding, pipe bursts, power outages, water suspension, fires, gas leakages, damaged facilities, lift malfunctions, crime, illegal activities, public hygiene issues, spreading of diseases, etc.) which PMCs may encounter during the provision of services. The Code covers the following aspects:
- Establishing a mechanism for handling emergencies;
- Identifying probable emergencies and conducting risk assessment;
- Formulating procedures and guidelines for handling emergencies;
- Appointing a person-in-charge for handling emergencies;
- Arranging drills;
- Establishing channels for communication with relevant supporting departments;
- Establishing channels for communication with clients; and
- Keeping records.
Chairperson TSE emphasised, “Handling emergencies is an indispensable part of service provision by PMCs which cannot be neglected. If a PMC can make appropriate preparations in advance, once there is an emergency, the PMC can respond immediately and handle the incident properly. Not only would this minimise the impact of the incident on owners and the public, the reputation of the PMC would also be protected.”
“Handling Scaffolding Works”
This Code of Conduct provides practical guidance for the PM industry on handling scaffolding works. The Code covers the following aspects:
- PMC carrying out scaffolding work by itself;
- PMC arranging for scaffolding work;
- PMC handling scaffolding work carried out by individual flats;
- Monitoring scaffolding work;
- Issuing notice;
- Follow-up work after completion of scaffolding work; and
- Keeping records.
Chairperson TSE said, “In response to the concerns of the community on the safety of scaffolding works at properties as well as that PMCs and PMPs often have to carry out scaffolding-related work-at-height as Hong Kong is facing the challenges posed by ageing buildings, the PMSA has formulated the Code of Conduct and Best Practice Guide to raise the awareness of safety among the PM industry for carrying out scaffolding works at properties so as to avoid accidents.”
The above Codes of Conduct and Best Practice Guides can be downloaded from the following PMSA webpage: https://www.pmsa.org.hk/en/regulatory/codes-of-conduct
Since the implementation of the PM industry licensing regime from August 2020, including the above two Codes and Guides, the PMSA has already issued a total of 13 Codes of Conduct and their relevant Best Practice Guides to provide PMCs and PMPs with practical guidance and to establish a set of objective and reasonable standards for PM services, thereby raising the industry’s professional standard and providing the general public with PM services of higher quality. The other 11 Codes which have been issued include “General Code of Conduct”, “Complaint Handling Mechanism of Property Management Companies”, “Effective Control over Property Management Business by Property Management Companies”, “Handling Moneys Received on behalf of Clients by Property Management Companies”, “Obligations of Property Management Companies regarding the Ending of their Appointment”, “Prevention of Corruption”, “Prescribed Conditions on Licences”, “Protection on Personal Data”, “Handling Payment for or Arranging Payment to be Made by Clients”, “Provision of Prescribed Information and Financial Documents to Clients” and “Carrying out Procurement for Clients and Prevention of Bid-rigging”.
The PMSA will continue to issue other Codes of Conduct and Best Practice Guides timely, covering different PM areas in order to provide guidance to the industry, including but not limited to the following:
- Working at Suspended Working Platforms;
- Handling Outsourced Property Management Services;
- Prevention of Corruption – Financial Management and Staff Recruitment and Management;
- Distribution Mechanism of Promotional Materials at Property by Property Management Companies; and
- Handling Instrument of Appointing a Proxy (e.g. to comply with relevant amendments of the Building Management Ordinance).
Ends/Thursday , 28 July 2022
Issued at HKT 14:30
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