A public consultation on timely maintenance of buildings will be launched later this year, Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands Michael Suen says.

Speaking at the Proper Maintenance Makes Hygienic Homes campaign opening ceremony today, Mr Suen said it is important for owners and occupiers to take responsibility for proper maintenance and management of buildings.

There are about 10,000 private buildings over 30 years of age, he said, adding that many of them pose potential environmental hygiene problems due to lax maintenance.

"Since the SARS outbreak, the Buildings Department has contacted the management committees or owners' corporations of about 18,000 buildings, advising them to inspect their drainage systems," Mr Suen said.

"The department has also sent out guidelines on how to inspect and maintain drainage systems inside residential buildings."

For buildings without management committees or owners' corporations, the department has conducted inspections on the drainage systems and requested building owners to take appropriate follow up action.

Speaking at the same event, Director of Buildings Marco Wu said his department will spare no effort in urging private building owners to implement proper maintenance and management programmes.

It will continue maintaining close co-operation with the trade and providing various financial, technical and managerial support services to the public.