Hong Kong authorities have proposed a legal amendment requiring property owners to attend a mandatory briefing on major renovation projects before voting on procurement resolutions, in a move aimed at curbing bid-rigging following the deadly blaze in Tai Po.

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen said on Saturday that the proposed amendment to the Building Management Ordinance, which covers five areas, sought to enhance homeowners’ participation and fill existing legal gaps.

“From our experience of handling disputes in recent years, we found that many conflicts arose from an information asymmetry,” she told a radio programme.

“It would be helpful if homeowners did not rely solely on the general meeting to ask questions and make decisions, which would be too rushed … the briefing could provide more information for owners to make an informed decision and allow the management company or the management committee to address their questions before the general meeting.

“If they fail to do so, owners would be more motivated to attend the meeting on their own to vote.”

The fire, which broke out at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court on November 26, killed 168 people and displaced nearly 5,000 residents.