Public Housing Reno
Public Housing Renovation Hong Kong: HOS Rules, Process & Budget
Published: 2026-08-17 · Updated: 2026-08-17 · 9 min read
TL;DR
Planning a full renovation for your Public Housing or HOS flat? Learn about the Hong Kong Housing Authority's restrictions, application process, and common pitfalls. OmniFix provides professional guides to help you build your dream home. Use the practical checkpoints below to separate a low-risk next step from work that needs a qualified professional. Keep a written record of the scope, timing and any change agreed on site.
Planning decision checklist
| Stage | Action today | Confirm before proceeding |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Write down the outcome you need | What is included, excluded and contingent |
| Time | Set a realistic milestone sequence | Access, approvals and disruption constraints |
| Cost | Compare like-for-like quotations | Payment stage, variation process and warranty |
Visual repair guide
Congratulations on getting your new home! Whether you have been allocated a public housing unit or successfully drawn a Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flat, the moment you receive the keys is undoubtedly exciting. Owning a cozy home in Hong Kong is no easy feat. However, after the initial joy, you will soon face another major challenge—renovation. Renovating public housing and HOS flats is quite different from private properties because all works must strictly comply with the regulations and guidelines of the Hong Kong Housing Authority. If you accidentally demolish a structural wall or alter crucial pipes for the sake of aesthetics, you may be required by the Housing Authority to reinstate them at your own expense, or even face legal consequences, which is definitely not worth the risk.
To help prospective owners and tenants avoid renovation pitfalls, this ultimate guide will detail the various restrictions, mandatory application processes, and common renovation traps associated with public housing and HOS flats. By doing your homework and fully understanding the rules, you can smoothly and peacefully build your ideal dream home.
1. Housing Authority Renovation Guidelines and Three Categories of Alteration Restrictions
Before starting any work, owners or tenants must clearly understand the strict regulations imposed by the Hong Kong Housing Authority on the renovation of public housing and HOS flats. To ensure the structural safety, fire safety, and public hygiene of the building, the Housing Authority classifies the fixtures in the unit into three categories: Category A (Alteration not permitted), Category B (Alteration subject to prior approval from the Housing Authority), and Category C (Alteration permitted without prior approval). Understanding these three categories is the first and most crucial step in the entire renovation process.
Category A fixtures absolutely cannot be demolished or altered. These usually involve the core structure and safety facilities of the building, such as structural walls, beams, structural columns, fire doors, waterproofing layers in kitchens and toilets, and main water supply and drainage pipes. Unauthorized alteration of Category A fixtures not only seriously affects the structural safety of the entire building but also violates the tenancy agreement or deed of mutual covenant. The Housing Authority has the right to terminate the tenancy or take legal action. Category B fixtures include non-structural partition walls, main doors, metal gates, and window grilles. To alter these facilities, you must first submit an application to the estate office and obtain approval before commencing work. As for Category C fixtures, such as indoor painting, laying floor tiles, installing kitchen cabinets, and custom-made furniture, tenants can freely make changes without prior application.
| Fixture Category | Definition and Restrictions | Common Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Category A (Not Permitted) | Absolutely cannot be demolished or altered; involves structural and fire safety | Structural walls, columns, fire doors, kitchen/toilet waterproofing, main pipes |
| Category B (Prior Approval Required) | Must submit an application to the Housing Authority and obtain approval before work | Non-structural partition walls, main doors, metal gates, window grilles, electrical rewiring |
| Category C (No Approval Required) | Tenants/owners can make changes at their own discretion without prior application | Indoor painting, laying floor tiles/wooden flooring, custom-made furniture, replacing indoor wooden doors |
2. Mandatory Renovation Process and Application Procedures
After understanding the restrictions, you can start planning the entire renovation process. The first step, of course, is to find an experienced and reputable renovation company. Since public housing renovation involves many specific rules of the Housing Authority, finding a company familiar with public housing regulations can save you a lot of trouble. After the master comes to your unit for measurement and quotation, both parties can officially sign the contract once the details are confirmed. Remember to carefully check every detail on the quotation before signing to ensure nothing is missed.
After signing the contract, the renovation company will assist you in preparing the relevant floor plans and documents to submit a renovation application to the estate office. This step is critical because if you start work without approval, you may be ordered to stop work or even fined. Once approved, the work can officially begin. A general full-house renovation process includes: demolition work, plumbing and electrical work, wet trades (such as waterproofing), carpentry and painting work, and finally the installation of various furniture and cleaning for handover. Each stage should have a clear schedule so you can track the progress at any time and ensure everything goes according to plan.
During the construction period, staff from the estate office may conduct random inspections to ensure the work complies with the approved plans and the Housing Authority's guidelines. Therefore, keeping the site clean, properly disposing of construction waste, and strictly adhering to the designated construction hours (usually daytime from Monday to Saturday, with noise strictly prohibited on public holidays) are very important.
3. Kitchen and Toilet Renovation and Waterproofing Precautions
Kitchens and toilets are the most critical areas in public housing renovation and the most prone to issues. According to Housing Authority regulations, the waterproofing layers in kitchens and toilets belong to Category A or Category B fixtures and must be handled with extreme care. If you plan to completely demolish and rebuild them, you must ensure that the new waterproofing work meets or even exceeds the original standards. Otherwise, if a water leak occurs in the future and affects the residents downstairs, the consequences will be severe, and the repair costs will be exorbitant.
When carrying out waterproofing work, it is strongly recommended to ask the master to apply the waterproofing layer to a sufficient height. For example, the waterproofing layer in the shower area should be at least 1.8 meters high, and other walls should also reach a certain height. After completion, a "water test" must be conducted, which involves filling the floor with water and soaking it for at least 24 to 48 hours to ensure there is absolutely no leakage before laying the tiles. This step must not be rushed.
In addition, when altering water supply and drainage pipes, you must also ensure compliance with the relevant regulations of the Water Supplies Department to avoid violations. Especially for the drainage pipes in public housing, which are often shared by the entire building, improper alterations leading to blockages can have disastrous consequences. Therefore, all works involving plumbing and drainage must be carried out by qualified licensed plumbers to ensure safety and reliability.
4. Space Planning and Custom Furniture Tips
The area of public housing and HOS flats in Hong Kong is generally not very large, ranging from over a hundred square feet for single-person units to over four hundred square feet for family units. How to make the best use of every inch of space truly tests the designer's skills. Many families choose to have custom-made furniture for the whole house because it can perfectly fit the irregular corners of the unit and maximize storage space. For example, building a ceiling-high C-shaped cabinet in the living room or a platform bed in the bedroom can significantly increase storage capacity, making the home look neater and more spacious.
When customizing furniture, in addition to considering practicality and aesthetics, you should also pay attention to the choice of materials. It is recommended to use low-formaldehyde eco-friendly boards (such as E0 or E1 grade) to protect the health of your family, especially for households with children or the elderly. At the same time, ensure that the size of the furniture does not obstruct fire escape routes or block windows, which would affect indoor ventilation and natural lighting.
If you are a public housing tenant, you may need to relocate in the future due to changes in family size, or you may need to return the unit if you purchase an HOS flat using the Green Form. In such cases, the unit will require reinstatement to its original bare-shell condition. Therefore, in the early stages of renovation, you should consider using easily detachable movable furniture or modular custom-made furniture to reduce the difficulty and cost of future reinstatement.
5. Avoiding Common Renovation Pitfalls and Traps
The biggest fears in renovation are unfinished projects or fluctuating prices. To avoid these pitfalls, the quotation must first be detailed enough. The charges, material brands, dimensions, and construction methods for each item of work must be clearly listed. Never accept a "lump sum" or vague rough quotation. In addition, the payment method is best divided into installments based on the progress of the project, such as four installments (signing, wet trades, carpentry, completion). Never pay a large deposit upfront to prevent the renovation company from absconding.
Another common pitfall is hidden charges. Some unscrupulous companies will ask for more money for various reasons after starting work, such as claiming the walls are uneven and require extra plastering, the water pipes are aging and need replacing, or even charging extra for clearing debris. To protect yourself, you must ask clearly if there are any potential surcharges before signing the contract, and state in the contract that any additional work must be agreed upon in writing by both parties before proceeding.
Furthermore, according to the Buildings Department's Minor Works Control System, certain specific renovation works (such as installing air-conditioner supporting frames or altering indoor drainage pipes) must be carried out by registered minor works contractors. If the renovation company lacks the relevant licenses and carries out the work illegally, the owner will also have to bear legal responsibility. Therefore, you must verify the qualifications and licenses of the renovation company when making your selection.
6. Professional Team Helps You Easily Build Your Dream Home
In summary, the renovation of public housing and HOS flats involves many complex regulations and details. From submitting applications to supervising construction, every step must be taken seriously. If you want to save time and ensure quality, finding a professional and reliable renovation company is definitely a wise choice. Our team has extensive experience in public housing renovation and is familiar with all Housing Authority regulations, providing you with one-stop design and engineering services to ensure all works are legal and compliant.
Whether you want a simple refurbishment or a complete full-house renovation, we can tailor the most suitable solution based on your budget and needs. Our professional masters have exquisite craftsmanship and use premium materials, guaranteeing to build a comfortable and durable home for you. If you need to move in the future, we also provide professional reinstatement services to help you properly handle the restoration work of your old unit, ensuring a smooth handover to the Housing Authority without any worries.
Ready for a major makeover of your new home? Contact OmniFix now for a free quote! Our professional consultants will answer all your renovation queries and provide the most practical advice. Get an instant quote or book an on-site visit with just one WhatsApp message. Please WhatsApp 9290 2652 to chat with us today!
Official reference
Use the Housing Authority’s official guidance as a starting point when a housing, move-in or renovation decision affects a Hong Kong home.
About the author
The OmniFix Decoration × FixNow Editorial Team has years of experience in renovation and home repair in Hong Kong, serving all districts. We are dedicated to providing professional and practical public housing renovation information to help you build your dream home.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to apply to the Housing Authority for public housing renovation?
Yes. According to Housing Authority guidelines, fixtures are classified into Categories A, B, and C. Category A cannot be altered; Category B (e.g., non-structural walls, main doors) requires prior approval from the estate office; Category C (e.g., painting, tiling) does not require application.
How much time and money does public housing reinstatement take?
The cost and time depend on the extent of alterations. Generally, removing unauthorized structures, restoring partitions, and basic repairs take about 1-2 weeks, costing from ten thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. It's recommended to have a professional renovation company conduct an on-site assessment for an accurate quote.
How can I avoid exceeding the budget for public housing renovation?
To avoid overspending, request a highly detailed quotation listing all charges, dimensions, and materials. Ask about hidden fees before signing and state in the contract that any additional work requires written consent from both parties. Finally, minimize unnecessary partition changes.