Property Management Services Authority Continuing Professional Development Seminar
Encourages the Industry to Handle Air-Conditioner Dripping and Property Water Seepage Issues Proactively Promoting Community Harmony

In alignment with the amendments made in August this year to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, and to implement the measures proposed in the Chief Executive's Policy Address to improve building management and enhance building safety, the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) today organised a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminar to encourage the property management (PM) industry to proactively intervene in handling air-conditioner dripping and property water seepage issues, demonstrating the important role the industry plays in promoting community hygiene and harmony. Over 1,500 members of the PM industry participated in the seminar, physically and online.

The seminar featured an opening speech by Mr. NG Man Kit, Director, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), followed by presentations from FEHD Senior Health Inspectors Miss IP Wing-kar and Miss HUI Yuet-chun, who explained how PM practitioners may assist in handling air-conditioner dripping and water seepage cases. Ms. Diana PANG, General Manager (Regulatory Affairs), PMSA, also introduced the two newly issued Best Practice Guides on the matters to provide practical guidance for the industry. 

The two Best Practice Guides are respectively Handling Dripping Air Conditioners and Handling Water Seepage in Properties, which were formally issued to all licensed PM practitioners in Hong Kong in mid-October, in accordance with the Property Management Services Ordinance. These Guides cover steps including investigating the sources of air-conditioners dripping and water seepage, communication and coordination, and follow-up handling, encouraging PM practitioners to intervene early to reduce neighbourhood disputes and enhance handling efficiency.

Dr. James WONG, Chairman, PMSA, stated, "PM practitioners have close relationship with residents and are well familiar with the property environment, and therefore have a distinct advantage in assisting to identify the sources of air-conditioners dripping and water seepage issues, and facilitating communication and coordination. Timely intervention can often resolve such issues at an early stage, minimising complaints and conflicts, and overcoming community hardship.”

To promote the resolution of water seepage disputes in properties through mediation, the Department of Justice, in collaboration with the Environment and Ecology Bureau and the FEHD, launched the Pilot Scheme on Community Mediation, offering mediation skills training free of charge for PM practitioners since July this year. The first batch of PM practitioners who successfully enrolled in the course also attended the seminar today, demonstrating the industry's active participation in continuing professional development.

Dr. James WONG continued, “Whether participating in the Pilot Scheme on Community Mediation, or attending today's seminar, PM companies and PM practitioners have demonstrated professional commitment, proactively adopting the methods for handling air-conditioners dripping and water seepage, assisting in identifying sources, and using mediation to help residents resolve concerned disputes and controversies. This not only embodies the neighbourly spirit of PM practitioners in promoting community harmony through actual action, but also highlights PM companies' active fulfilment of corporate social responsibility. Their efforts to provide professional and quality services and help develop harmonious and caring communities deserves our full recognition."

​​​​​​​Mr. NG Man Kit, Director, FEHD said, “We sincerely thank the PMSA for its strong support of the FEHD’s work. The issuance of Best Practice Guides and the organisation of CPD seminars by the PMSA will help enhance the PM industry’s capability and standard in addressing water seepage and air-conditioner dripping issues in properties. In this year’s Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced that inspection procedures for handling water seepage issues in properties will be optimised. The FEHD has also adopted a new strategy this year to improve the effectiveness of tackling air-conditioner dripping problems. The FEHD looks forward to continued close collaboration with the PMSA and the PM industry to create a cleaner and higher-quality living environment for the public.”

The seminar included a Q&A session, whereby Professor HUI Chi-man, Vice Chairman, PMSA, joined the speakers to answer questions from participants, fostering exchange with the industry. PM practitioner licence holders who completed the seminar may obtain recognised CPD hours under the PMSA CPD Scheme, as well as certificate of participation issued by the PMSA.

Following the ending of the three-year transitional period for the PM industry licensing regime, the PMSA has commenced mandatory implementation of the CPD Scheme. PM practitioner licence holders of different tiers are required to receive continuing education in phases with the aim to drive the advancement and raise the professional standard as well as status of the industry. Under the Scheme, PM practitioners (Tier 1) are required to complete a minimum of 12 hours of qualifying CPD activities/courses each year starting from 1 January 2024, while PM practitioners (Tier 2) are required to complete a minimum of 6 hours of CPD activities/courses each year starting from 1 January 2025. The PMSA has imposed mandatory CPD participation condition on all newly issued or renewed licences since 1 August 2023. Non-compliance may affect future licence renewal.

For details, please visit the PMSA website: www.pmsa.org.hk