The Marking Scheme for Tenancy Enforcement has proven effective as a deterrent in its first year since implementation.

Out of the 2,668 households allotted points under the scheme, only 52 have been repeat offenders, less than 2%, the Housing Department says.

Reviewing the marking scheme today, Deputy Director of Housing Lau Kai-hung said one tenancy will be terminated at the end of next month after being allotted more than 16 penalty points.

Tenant satisfaction over estate cleanliness has risen significantly from 45.5% in 2002, to 52.1% last year and 61.7% this year.

Mr Lau said the department has identified some areas for review to fine-tune the scheme and will seek views from Housing Authority members.

Scheme expansion proposed

The department proposes to expand the scope of the scheme to cover hanging dripping clothes from balconies and accumulation of stagnant water leading to mosquito breeding, with each misdeed attracting three penalty points.

Other proposals include increasing penalty points for misusing public housing flats from five to seven points.

Referring to suggestions that water dripping from air-conditioners should be made a misdeed, Mr Lau said this required further consideration and consultation with tenants to ensure that the enforcement arrangements are fair and consistent having regard to the tenants' circumstances.

"We are also discussing with the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department on practical ways to strengthen and streamline the enforcement regime to make it more effective," Mr Lau said.

Proposals under review include streamlining the warning system under which only one written caution will be given while no prior warning will be given for more serious misdeeds such as throwing objects from height.

Taking into account views expressed at today's brainstorming session, the department will submit the proposals to the authority's Subsidised Housing Committee for consideration at its meeting early next month.