The Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) held a focus meeting today to collect views from 10 industry associations on the three upcoming Codes of Conduct and the relevant Best Practice Guides to be issued for the property management (PM) industry entitled, “Handling Instrument Appointing a Proxy”, “Provision of Prescribed Information and Financial Documents to Clients”, as well as “Protection of Personal Data”. It is envisaged that the three codes of conduct will be gazetted and take effect in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Due to the situation of novel coronavirus epidemic and to maintain social distancing, the focus group meeting was held online.
The professional bodies which had participated in the online focus group meeting include:
(in alphabetical order)
- Building Services Operation and Maintenance Executives Society
- Chartered Institute of Housing Asian Pacific Branch
- Hong Kong Institute of Certified Property Managers
- Hong Kong Institute of Real Estate Administrators
- Housing Managers Registration Board
- International Facility Management Association, Hong Kong Chapter
- The Federation of Hong Kong Property Management Industry Limited
- The Hong Kong Institute of Facility Management
- The Hong Kong Institute of Housing
- The Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies
Mr Tony TSE, the PMSA Chairperson said, “The PMSA expresses appreciation to the industry associations which have provided invaluable comments to optimise the draft codes of conduct and best practice guides. Our aim is that the codes and guides would provide the industry with practical guidance on different PM areas so as to strengthen the professional standard of the industry and promote its sustainable development for enhancement in both professionalism and quality.”
The “Code of Conduct on Handling Instrument Appointing a Proxy” provides guidelines regarding owners appointing a PM licensee as proxy to attend the owners’ meeting and cast vote on their behalf at the meeting, as well as handling the instrument and related matters, so as to avoid conflict of interest or other disputes.
The “Code of Conduct on Provision of Prescribed Information and Financial Documents to Clients” provides guidelines regarding PM licensees providing information concerning conflict of interest, contracts relating to PM, and information relating to PM that the PMSA may from time to time specify; as well as the inspection of financial documents and provision of copies as requested by clients.
The “Code of Conduct on Protection of Personal Data” covers the following aspects:
- Personal data protection principles;
- Collection of personal data;
- Accuracy and retention period of personal data;
- Use and disclosure of personal data;
- Security of personal data;
- Handling requests of access and correction of personal data;
- Outsourcing the processing of personal data to data processors;
- Installation and use of Closed Circuit Television; and
- Use of personal data for direct marketing
and provides related practical guides.
The licensing regime for PM industry (licensing regime) has come into operation for one year. The PMSA has already issued 7 Codes of Conduct including “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”, as well as “Prescribed Conditions on Licences”. For details of the Codes of Conduct and the relevant Best Practice Guides, please refer to the following PMSA webpage:
https://www.pmsa.org.hk/en/regulatory/regulating-licensees#reg-04
The PMSA will 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:-
- Prevention of bid-rigging;
- Provision of prescribed information and financial documents to clients;
- Handling emergencies;
- Managing scaffolding works to be carried out at a property;
- Carrying out procurement for clients; and
- Managing distribution of promotional material at a property, etc.
Ends/Thursday, 19 August 2021
Issued at HKT 18:30
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