Property Management Services Authority Issues Disciplinary Sanction Order Against Relevant Property Management Company over Mishandling of Tendering for Air-conditioning Works at Shopping Mall

The Disciplinary Committee (DC) of the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) has, pursuant to the Property Management Services Ordinance (Cap. 626) (PMSO), made a disciplinary sanction order against a licensed property management (PM) company for committing a disciplinary offence under section 4(a) of the PMSO (i.e. misconduct or neglect in a professional respect) in respect of its handling of the tendering for the air-conditioning system maintenance works during its management of a shopping mall on Hong Kong Island. The order imposes a severe written reprimand on the PM company and a fine of HK$160,000 (the maximum fine under the PMSO is HK$300,000).

In respect of the tendering for the maintenance and replacement of the air-conditioning system at the aforementioned shopping mall, the PM company had multiple serious deficiencies in its work. These included allowing a tendering period of only 7 calendar days (far shorter than the reasonable period of about two weeks generally adopted by the industry); confusing two substantially different types of works, namely “maintenance” and “replacement” in the tender notice; accepting tender submissions that failed to comply with the tender requirement; failing to adequately assess the tender proposals and reveal relevant important information to the shopping mall owners; failing to invite the original maintenance contractor to participate in the tender; and failing to provide impartial professional advice to the owners regarding supplementary works subsequently added. Consequently, the PM company fell short of the professional standard expected of a licensed PM company in conducting tendering exercise, compromising the interest of the owners and undermining public trust in the PM industry.

The Disciplinary Hearing Panel (the Panel) of the DC conducted a hearing in April this year. After carefully considering all relevant information of the case, the Panel decided that the PM company had committed misconduct or neglect in a professional respect, in contravention of section 4(a) of the PMSO, and thus imposed the above disciplinary sanction order.

This is the second case involving a licensed PM company found to have committed professional misconduct or negligence since the full implementation of the PM Industry Licensing Regime as from August 2023. It is also the first case involving professional misconduct in relation to the tendering procedure for property repair work.

The Panel also ordered the PM company to pay the PMSA's costs under the PMSO. The PM company has already paid the aforementioned fine and costs in full.

Dr. James WONG, Chairperson of the PMSA emphasized, “PM companies are entrusted by owners to manage properties and must act in the best interest of their clients. In tendering matters involving substantial sum of money, any professional misconduct or administrative negligence may affect the interest of owners and public trust in the PM industry. Through this case, the PMSA wishes to remind the industry that PM company, as property manager, is the invigilator of the owners’ rights and interest. We will continuously remind licensed PM companies and PM practitioners to uphold the principles of integrity, professionalism, and fairness when handling property-related tendering matters, ensuring that the procedures are in complaince and transparent. This aims to uphold the professional image of the industry and enhance public respect and trust in the PM sector. Should there be any case of professional misconduct or negligence, the PMSA is duty-bound to rigorously deal with it”

The above disciplinary sanction order will be gazetted on 18 June in accordance with section 26(3)(b) of the PMSO.

Ends/Wednesday, 17 June, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:00
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