Tai Po fire: Gov’t issues buy-back offer letters to Wang Fuk Court homeowners

“The Hong Kong government said it has issued buy-back offer letters to homeowners of the fire-hit Wang Fuk Court, moving forward with its plan to acquire property titles from displaced residents. Residents collecting their belongings at Wang Sun House, Wang Fuk Court on April 20, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. The government said on Thursday that it has distributed “letters of offer” to flat owners of the seven blocks affected in the massive inferno in November that killed 168 people – Hong Kong’s deadliest blaze in decades. The move follows authorities’ announced in February that authorities will spend up to HK$6.8 billion to buy back flats from owners. The budget consists of HK$4 billion of taxpayers’ money and HK$2.8 billion from a support fund largely made up of public donations. Owners can choose cash or a flat swap for a new government-subsidised unit under a special sales scheme, according to the February plan. The government has established a company named Wang Fuk Court Property Rights Acquisition Limited, which has distributed the offer letters to owners, it said on Thursday. Owners have until August 31 to sign a “letter of acceptance” enclosed with the offer letter and return it to the company if they choose to accept the acquisition, it said. Wang Fuk Court seen in the distance on April 20, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. “Upon receipt of the owners’ duly signed ‘Letter of Acceptance,’ the government will make every effort to promptly assist in completing the Agreement for Sale and Purchase and the [Deed of] Assignment,” a government spokesperson said in a statement . Early flat selection For owners who opt for cash, authorities will expedite the payment for them to make purchases in the private market, the government said. Those who want to participate in the government’s special sales scheme will be allowed to select their flats earlier if they accept the buy back offer quickly, authorities added. They will receive priority if they return the letter of acceptance by June 30. For homeowners of Wang Chi House, the only block not affected by the blaze, the government said if 75 per cent of owners sign the letter of acceptance by June 30, the buy-back plan will be made available to them. The government previously said buying out Wang Chi House would require an additional HK1 billion . The Thursday statement did not mention what arrangements were available for those choosing not to accept the government’s buy-back offers. Judge David Lok, the chair of an independent committee tasked with investigating the deadly Tai Po fire in Hong Kong, leaves a public hearing on March 26, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Amid calls from some residents for the housing estate to be rebuilt at its original location, the government has said that the buy back plan is final. Authorities said the seven towers hit by flames suffered “irreversible” internal damage, and that they would be torn down to build a park or other community facilities. However, some residents expressed scepticism of the government’s proposal after a public inquiry into the fire revealed that damage was concentrated in a number of buildings. Some residents also expressed desire to return to the estate after they were allowed to return to their homes to retrieve their personal belongings and found their flats largely unscathed, according to local media. Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, who is leading the buy-back plan, said in February that the government would study whether “special legislation” would be needed if some owners refuse to sell their flats.

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