Training courses and two-tier property management licensing system recommended to meet increasing demand for quality property management talents
HONG KONG, Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hong Kong Institute of Housing ("HKIH") welcomes the various measures to increase housing and land supply and expedite redevelopment in the Chief Executive's latest Policy Address. With the increase of housing supply and launch of the environmental policies, the demand for property management talents increases accordingly. The HKIH will be dedicated to making joint effort to meet the demand in the market. To coordinate with the Policy Address, the HKIH advocates the Government to subsidize property management training courses and put forward a property management licensing regime by legislation in a timely manner. Ensuring sufficient number of talents and quality property management services are crucial to the public interests.
The increase of housing supply can assist in relieving the demand for homes in Hong Kong, while the need for property management practitioners will then increase in both quality and quantity. If there is an increase of over 120,000 flats to be supplied in the next 3 to 4 years according to the Policy Address, an additional number of over 3,000 property management practitioners will be required for the new properties. It should be noted commercial properties, including retail shops and office buildings, have not been taken into account yet. Given that the education programmes accredited by HKIH introduce 100 "new blood" professionals into the industry each year, while the newly completed properties will add pressure to the supply of property management talents, the HKIH recommends financial incentives for local tertiary institutions to organize more property management programmes catering for market needs. The Government may provide financial incentives or subsidies to practitioners so as to encourage them to study the relevant property management training courses to equip themselves with latest skills and knowledge.
"In the long term, in recognizing the increasing demand for quality property management facilities and talents with the housing supply, it is necessary to introduce the property management licensing system promptly," said Ms. Cora Yuen, President of the HKIH. "A two-tier licensing regime is believed to be able to enhance the service quality of local property management, and to allow property owners and the public to distinguish quality and professional practitioners from those sub-standard practitioners in the industry."
Regarding the land supply and redevelopment policies, the HKIH calls for a detailed and long term development plan from the Government. To avoid creating social problems in the community, the policies should go in hand with a comprehensive and balanced plan covering factors such as the transportation arrangement, community facilities, greeneries, population, etc. The land development and other redevelopment projects will create more opportunities for the property management industry. The HKIH will cooperate and offer full support for the implementation of the policy and raise standards of the practitioners.
The HKIH is in support of the environmental policies in the Policy Address. The HKIH will drive the industry to execute eco-friendly property management measures. For instance, more comprehensive recycling facilities should be offered to residents. Waste classification, recycling and re-use, food waste recycling should be arranged with reference to the successful overseas campaign in Taiwan, Japan and other countries. In addition, the HKIH encourages Owners' Corporations to install energy-saving devices in the buildings, as well as to take water and energy saving measures in property management in response to the Governments' environmental policies.
About the Hong Kong Institute of Housing
The Hong Kong Institute of Housing was incorporated in Hong Kong on 29 November 1988. As at May 2012, the HKIH has over 2,500 members. Together, the HKIH's members are responsible for the management of not less than 70% of all the housing stock in Hong Kong. Members are engaged in the co-ordination and execution of housing services incorporating the design, provision, improvement, rehabilitation, management and administration of all types of housing. Apart from actively expanding local network, the HKIH is forging close links with property management associations and academic institutions in Taiwan, Macau and many parts of mainland China.
