Gov’t boosts building maintenance support with MOP24.3 million in approvals

[Photo: Lynzy Valles]

Against the backdrop of nearly 5,000 buildings that are more than 30 years old across Macau, the government approved 47 subsidy applications totaling nearly MOP19 million and 90 interest-free loans amounting to MOP5.3 million under the city’s building maintenance scheme over the past year.

A TDM radio program recently featured a discussion on the government’s revision of three subsidy schemes under the building maintenance fund. Representatives said Macau currently has about 7,000 buildings, of which nearly 5,000 – or about two-thirds – are at least 30 years old, while around 3,500 buildings are seven storeys or lower.

Many of these older buildings lack proper management committees or property management companies, and residents often pay little attention to building conditions, leading to deteriorating facilities and a growing backlog of maintenance issues.

The government officially implemented the revised subsidy schemes on July 14, expanding the scope of eligible works and raising both subsidy and interest-free loan limits. Under the updated provisions, the standard subsidy has been increased from MOP100,000 to MOP200,000, while funding for gates, power supply, water supply, and drainage systems has been raised by 10 percent across the board.

For partial common area inspections, the subsidy cap for buildings not exceeding 20.5 meters in height and those not exceeding 9 meters in height has been increased from MOP70,000 to MOP110,000, with the same upper limit applied to high-rise buildings above 20.5 meters and up to 50 meters, as well as to super-tall buildings exceeding 50 meters.

Notably, the expanded financial support and interest-free loan schemes are intended to encourage owners to fulfil their responsibilities for maintaining common areas, improve the safety and living conditions of private buildings, and eliminate safety hazards caused by long-term neglect.

A community group representative on the program expressed confidence that the expanded fund would effectively drive maintenance and upgrade work on older buildings, while reminding listeners that proper maintenance of common facilities is a legal obligation for all owners.

He warned that if an accident occurs due to long-term neglect, owners could face civil claims and even legal liability, and urged residents to take a more proactive interest in their building’s condition and participate actively in maintenance efforts.

Official data released by the Housing Bureau (IH) in response to public broadcaster inquiries reveals that the Building Maintenance Subsidy and Interest-Free Loan Scheme approved 47 subsidy applications totaling nearly MOP19 million over the past year, with the bulk of funding going towards elevator and fire safety system upgrades, while 90 interest-free loans amounting to approximately MOP5.3 million were granted, primarily for external wall repairs.

Another community group representative has called for a timely review of the Legal System for the Management of the Common Parts of Condominiums, noting that the law had originally provided for a review three years after its entry into force, but more than eight years had now passed.

He urged the authorities to reassess provisions relating to building management, owners’ meetings, and maintenance obligations in order to align the legal framework with the current subsidy system and better enable owners to fulfil their maintenance responsibilities.

Regarding the low number of building inspection scheme applications – with only about four to five cases recorded in 2024 and 2025 – the representatives said a comprehensive one-off inspection would help owners understand their building’s condition before convening maintenance meetings, facilitating the approval of necessary works.

He noted that many owners currently lack such inspection data when attending meetings and urged them to take the initiative in arranging building inspections.

A caller to a radio program said his 50- to 60-year-old building was being damaged by tree roots from a neighboring property, whose owners could not be traced, leaving repairs at a stalemate despite residents’ willingness to act.

The group representatives cited official figures showing 513 private building inspections last year and more than 300 enforcement notices, with 240 inspections and 170 notices so far this year – reflecting low owner awareness of building assessments, with some fearing the discovery of illegal structures and others wanting a full picture before committing to repairs.