Recently, an aluminum window panel from a high-rise unit in Phase 2 of Metro City, Tseung Kwan O, became loose and fell onto the road at Yan King Street, scattering debris across the area. Fortunately, no pedestrians or vehicles were hit. Due to frequent incidents of falling windows, the government introduced the Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme (MWIS) in June 2012 to enhance the safety management of building windows.
Under the MWIS, owners of private buildings aged 10 years or older (excluding residential buildings no taller than 3 stories) are required to appoint a qualified person to inspect their windows upon receiving a statutory notice from the Buildings Department. If repairs are necessary, they must be carried out. Failure to comply is considered a violation of the law.
Each year, the Buildings Department selects target buildings to be included in the scheme. The selection process is guided by the Selection Panel (Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme and Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme), which consists of representatives from the Buildings Department, property management professionals, and District Council members. The selection is risk-based, taking into account factors such as the building's age, condition, management quality, potential risks to the public, and clusters of buildings.
Once a building is included in the scheme, the Buildings Department will send a window inspection notice via registered mail directly to the owner's registered address. Owners can also proactively check if their building is included. The department regularly updates a list of buildings that have been issued statutory notices under the MWIS and uploads it to their official website. You can search for your building’s name on the relevant webpage to check if it has been included in the scheme and to find out the date the notice was issued.
It’s important to note that the MWIS has strict deadlines. If you receive a window inspection notice, the windows in individual units must be inspected and repaired, if necessary, within six months from the date of the notice. For windows in common areas of the building, the inspection and repairs must be completed within nine months from the date of the notice.
If you receive a window inspection notice, you must appoint a qualified professional to inspect your windows. Qualified professionals include registered minor works contractors, registered structural engineers, or registered inspectors. If you are unsure, you can ask the professional to present their “Window Inspection Card” to verify their identity.
The qualified professional will inspect all the windows in your unit, focusing on four key areas: whether the glass panels are cracked or damaged; whether the window frames and sashes are deformed, unstable, or difficult to open and close; whether the window hinges are deformed, missing, or severely rusted; and whether the rivets and screws are loose, missing, corroded, or showing signs of white powdery residue or rust.
The inspection cost varies depending on the situation, with fees generally ranging from HK$1,800 to HK$5,000 per unit, excluding repair costs. After the inspection, if all windows are confirmed to be safe, the qualified professional must submit the specified form (MWI 2a) to the Buildings Department within 14 days to certify the inspection and provide a copy to the owner, completing the process.
If repairs are necessary, the owner must appoint a registered contractor to handle the work under the supervision of the qualified professional. If the professional conducting the inspection is also a registered contractor, the owner can appoint them directly to carry out the repairs. Once the inspection and repairs are completed, the professional will submit the required certification documents to the relevant authorities.
To ensure owners comply with the inspection process, the Buildings Department may conduct random on-site checks of buildings that have completed inspections. Owners are advised to follow the regulations, as failure to comply could lead to penalties. For buildings that have undergone the inspection, the Buildings Department will not issue another mandatory window inspection notice for at least five years.
