Listen to Audio of this topic (Cantonese only)
香港多數市民都住在多層大廈，業主在買入大廈單位時，其實不單只是擁有該單位，同時也與大廈內其他單位業主，共同擁有大廈的公用地方。換句話說，每幢多層樓宇內的所有業主，都有責任管理和維修樓宇的公用部分。這一節「長者法網智多聲」，就為大家說說物業維修與安全。
大廈或屋苑業主，可以成立業主立案法團，合法代表所有業主管理大廈或屋苑。業主立案法團是一個要負上集體責任的法律實體，即是說，法團做了甚麼或沒有做甚麼，所有業主都要負責，但有了業主立案法團，也不代表業主毋須負責管理和維修樓宇的公用部分。
不知道老友記對添喜大廈有沒有印象呢？1994年，添喜大廈外牆石屎簷篷倒塌，造成一死七傷。法庭裁定添喜大廈的業主立案法團，要為事件負上部份責任，並且要支付巨額賠償。由於法團沒有購買足夠的第三者風險保險，法團被頒令清盤，而添喜大廈的每個業主，都要分擔賠償。添喜大廈事件，凸顯了為樓宇公用部分購買第三者風險保險有多重要。香港政府其後亦立例規定，所有業主立案法團，強制性要為樓宇的公用部份及法團財產，購買第三者風險保險，保單要為單一事故引起死傷而招致的法律責任，提供至少一千萬元的保險。如果法團沒有按法例購買保險或保單無效，管理委員會的每個委員，都要負上刑事責任。
日久失修的樓宇，不單對住戶構成危險，對公眾也造成威脅。為了處理這個問題，香港政府在2012年推出了強制驗樓和強制驗窗計劃，政府每年會揀選數千幢高樓齡的私人樓宇，規定業主或立案法團，找合資格的檢驗人員進行某些指定檢驗，有問題就要維修。完成之後，要向政府呈交檢驗報告和修葺完工報告。如果收到檢驗通知但沒有行動，業主或立案法團就要負上刑事責任，可以被罰款和監禁。
為了幫助有需要的業主應付維修開支，政府推出了「樓宇維修綜合支援計劃（綜合計劃）」，由市區重建局統一運作，提供不同形式的資助、貸款和津貼，協助業主維修。香港房屋協會亦提供特別為長者而設的津貼計劃。有需要的市民，可以聯絡房協或市建局了解詳情，長者社區法網文字版也概括地介紹各種支援計劃。
要住得舒服，樓宇安全當然很重要，定期檢查和維修大廈，大家都住得安樂了。這一節就說到這裡，多謝大家收聽。
PrintHome Renovation Interest-free Loan
In addition to a subsidy, loan or grant for the improvement of the common areas of buildings, the Government provides an incentive for home owners to improve or enhance the living conditions in their homes. Eligible applicants may be granted an interest-free loan not exceeding $50,000 or the total cost of approved works (whichever is lower) for interior repairs and maintenance works in flats related to safety and hygiene.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for the Loan, the following criteria have to be met:
- The applicant must hold a Hong Kong Identity Card and be aged 18 or above;
- The subject unit must be in a residential building at least 30 years old;
- The subject unit must be the only property the applicant owns in Hong Kong, directly or indirectly;
- The subject unit must be solely/jointly owned by individuals (not owned by companies); and
- The average rateable value of the residential unit must not exceed $162,000 per annum for properties in the urban area (including Shatin, Kwai Tsing, Tsuen Wan) or $124,000 per annum for properties in the New Territories.
Use of the Loan
The purpose of the Loan is not to provide finance for luxury renovations of an owner’s flat. It must be used only for interior repairs and maintenance works related to safety and hygiene. An applicant, therefore, has to set out in the application form all the intended repair works and a breakdown of the cost.
The maximum loan amount for each application is $50,000 or the approved cost of works, whichever is lower. The Loan has to be repaid over a period of not more than 36 months. Applicants are also required to produce proof of income (such as salary slips) to prove their repayment ability; otherwise, they will be required to execute a legal charge in favour of the Government.