DAB calls for register of subdivided units

The DAB on Monday urged the government to set up a system to register subdivided flats in the city. This comes as the government is preparing a report on ways to address substandard accommodation, including setting minimum standards for subdivided units. DAB members visited more than 20 subdivided flats as part of a study. The party is proposing that subdivided flats should have a minimum area of seven square metres and a minimum height of 1.8 metres and must comply with building and fire safety regulations. The party said that for safety reasons, the kitchen and bathroom in these flats should be separate, adding that the government should prioritise eliminating unsafe subdivided flats. "We have seen quite a lot of fire accidents, some of the poor subdivided units don't have windows and fire protection... this makes it quite dangerous for the people who live inside," said lawmaker Vincent Cheng. The party also says residents of units deemed to be unacceptable should be provided with rehousing options. "If [residents] live in a very poor subdivided unit, they can choose to move into transitional housing," said Cheng.