Hong Kong landlords who fail to fix water seepage affecting flats below face a minimum inspection bill of HK$17,000 (US$2,170) if they take no action within 28 days of notification under a pilot scheme designed to fast-track such cases.

The plan, launched by a joint office under the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and Buildings Department, shifts the responsibility of shouldering inspection costs from the government to flat owners who fail to address water seepage problems.

Latest figures show 99 per cent of the confirmed water seepage cases last year were traced back to the flat directly above, resulting to about 5,000 nuisance notices, according to a government spokesman.

At a media briefing on Tuesday, officials said the scheme would be launched on a trial basis mid-year to expedite water seepage investigations in buildings.

“The new scheme will provide an incentive for owners to maintain and manage repairs and find the source of water seepage on their own, before there is a need for us [officials] to further intervene,” the spokesman said.

Water seepage is commonly caused by leaks from faulty water pipes, sanitary fitments or drains, and these are usually fixed by simple repairs, according to the joint office, which handles public reports of water seepage.