Tai Po fire: Wang Fuk Court administrator unveils HK$127 million refund plan for homeowners

“The government-appointed administrator of the fire-hit Wang Fuk Court has outlined a HK$127 million refund plan for displaced homeowners, but has yet to schedule a general meeting for owners to decide on estate matters. Frankie Chan (centre), service director at Hop On Management, Leung Wing-sze, a senior manager at Hop On (right), and a representative of China Taiping Insurance host an online briefing session with Wang Fuk Court residents on May 12, 2026. Photo: Screenshot. Hop On Management , appointed as the Tai Po housing estate’s administrator after the owners’ board was dissolved in the wake of the fatal blaze, announced the refund plan during an online Zoom briefing with residents on Tuesday. The briefing was the first of two sessions organised by the management firm to explain its work, the financial situation of the owners’ board, and refund arrangements for the renovation project that was ongoing when the fire broke out in November. Hop On representatives said during the briefing that the owners’ board had paid about HK$180 million to contractors for the renovation project, and a remaining balance of about HK$127 million in the estate’s renovation fund would be refunded. Wang Fuk Court flat owners had to pay between HK$150,000 and HK$180,000 in six instalments after the renovation began in July 2024, depending on the size of their homes. Frankie Chan, Hop On’s service director, said the amount of refund each household is entitled to receive will be based on the instalments they had previously paid. Residents collecting their belongings at Wang Sun House, Wang Fuk Court on April 20, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. According to Hop On’s data, 102 households had paid all instalments and would receive a refund ranging from about HK$84,700 to HK$98,840. A total of 1,766 households had paid five instalments and would receive approximately HK$61,200 to HK$71,400. Meanwhile, 29 households had paid three or four instalments, and their refund would range from HK$15,800 to HK$44,030. Hop On said that 30 households had paid only one or two instalments, while 57 never paid at all. In total, these households owed the estate’s management between HK$6,600 and HK$80,800. Chan said the refunds would be distributed starting from June, with details to be announced at a later stage. He did not say whether the company would collect the owed amount from residents. During a Q&A session, a resident asked why Hop On had not scheduled an owners’ meeting despite 247 of them – comprising around 12 per cent of households at Wang Fuk Court – petitioning for the gathering . An owners’ meeting will allow residents to vote on estate matters. Wang Fuk Court seen in the distance on April 20, 2026. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. In response, Chan said he noted that previous owners’ meetings were embroiled in controversies about proxy votes and statutory quorums. Hop On has to be “strict and precise” in verifying the authenticity of owners’ signatures, he said, adding that the firm is seeking legal advice. During Tuesday’s briefing, Hop On also said that Wang Chi House – the only block that escaped the blaze – may need more than HK$30 million for repairs. Hop On said the building sustained damage to its electrical and water systems and fire safety equipment, citing the visual examinations by a team of experts.

Summary generated from the RSS feed of HKFP. All article rights belong to the original publisher. Click through to read the full piece on hongkongfp.com.