The letting of Government properties does not involve gender consideration, the Government Property Agency says.

Responding to reports its rejection of a request for renting Prince of Wales Hospital units at market rates involves gender discrimination, the agency said the procedures and considerations for commercial letting of domestic units and letting to welfare and non-profit-making organisations at nominal rent are different.

For the former, the agency has for many years been letting domestic units commercially through appointed estate agents at market rent, for single-family residence and on the basis of standard tenancy agreement. All those conditions are not negotiable.

For the latter, the agency will, upon receipt of policy support from the relevant Government body, consider the individual requirements of the respective non-government organisations, the feasibility of its proposal and other relevant factors to decide whether the unit should be let.

The rental arrangements in respect of the existing non-government organisations at the Prince of Wales Hospital quarters all belong to the latter category, the agency said.

Not compliant

As the proposed use of the hospital units for 'sheltered hostel use' by the Family Relationship Development Network of Hong Kong does not comply with the leasing criteria of 'single family residence only', the agency did not accept commercial letting of the premises to the organisation.

The agency had written to the organisation clarifying the criteria for commercial leasing, the procedure, considerations and the follow-up action currently being undertaken. 

The agency said it and the Social Welfare Department are considering the organisation's application for renting the hospital units for 'sheltered hostel use' at nominal rent. 

In response to the department's request, the agency is also examining whether there are other suitable premises for 'sheltered hostel use'.