Iat Fai building residents seek government help

Residents of Taipa’s Iat Fai building, part of the government’s affordable housing projects, are urging the government to provide financial aid to address the building’s deteriorating condition, specifically concerning loose floor and wall tiles.

The Housing Bureau (IH) has reiterated its call to the building’s maintenance company to promptly propose a repair solution. However, homeowners are concerned about the “inadequate responses” from the relevant government departments.

The Iat Fai building’s homeowners’ association has reported a potential hazard of loose tiles in the outer walls and floors over the past six months.

With the building’s warranty period expired, residents have contacted the government seeking assistance. However, they feel the response they have received falls short of their expectations. It has left them uncertain about how to tackle the issue.

Lao, the president of the Homeowners Association of the Iat Fai Building, expressed frustration at the government’s stance, highlighting the financial constraints the association faces.

“The government responded that our estate has passed the warranty period, so we would have to hold a meeting and handle the situation ourselves,” he said.

“But our reserve fund can only be so much. How are we supposed to solve the issue? If we have to ask everyone to pitch in, it might not be a small amount. Not many people will be willing to contribute.”

The IH responded to the residents’ concerns in a statement on the weekend affirming it is monitoring the situation.

At the beginning of the year, the Bureau alerted the building’s maintenance company to swiftly propose a repair plan. Following recent complaints from homeowners, the Bureau reissued the notice and conducted an on-site inspection. The maintenance company has since removed the loose tiles.

In its statement, the IH not only emphasized the importance of property owners attending to the maintenance of common areas but also urged them to fulfill their legal responsibilities and obligations.

Furthermore, the authority stressed the need for property owners to conduct regular inspections, repairs and maintenance to ensure the overall safety and well-being of the building’s occupants.

As the residents of Taipa’s Iat Fai building continue to grapple with the deteriorating state of their homes, they hope the government will address their plea for financial assistance.

With loose tiles posing potential risks, the urgency to find a viable solution remains paramount, the association argued.

The residents are appreciative of the bureau’s involvement and commitment to monitoring the situation, but are eager for the government to take further action to rectify the building’s infrastructure issues.

In the face of limited resources, homeowners are left with uncertainty about how to proceed and fear the burden of funding repairs may fall on their shoulders. Victoria Chan