Preparatory work has started at Chuk Yuen (South) and Sha Kok Estates - the first two public rental housing estates under a $90 million project to install condensation drain pipes for air-conditioners.

Assistant Director of Housing (Estate Management) Bay Wong said today the pipes will be installed on the external walls of 334 blocks in 78 estates over the next five years.

The works will be carried out, if possible, during periodic external wall redecoration or cleaning work, to minimise costs for the use of gondolas and scaffolding.

"Following completion of the improvement works, we will review the situation and consider whether dripping from air-conditioners should be included as a misdeed under the Marking Scheme for Tenancy enforcement in Public Rental Housing Estates," Mr Wong said.

16,000 complaints

The Housing Department received 16,389 complaints, issued 14,351 verbal warnings and 2,576 written warnings and made 20 referrals to the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department in the first 10 months of last year.

All housing blocks completed after 1996 have condensation drain pipes, except at blocks where all flats do not have balconies, blocks where the balconies inside all or some of the flats are separated from the living area by kitchens, lavatories or solid walls, and blocks where all flats have balconies adjacent to living areas.

The proposed improvement works will cover only blocks where all flats do not have balconies and blocks where the balconies inside all or some of the flats are separated from the living area by kitchens, lavatories or solid walls.