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Cuts to power bills for Hong Kong Island residents not enough for subdivided flat tenants, NGO says

  • HK Electric to cut surcharge by 15.5 per cent over January levels as global fuel prices fall
  • But Sze Lai-shan, deputy director of Society for Community Organisation, says more relief needed for residents living in subdivided flats

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About one-fifth of the city’s 108,000 subdivided flats are on Hong Kong Island, with most in Eastern district, which includes Fortress Hill, Sai Wan Ho and Shau Kei Wan. Photo: Jelly Tse

Lower electricity bills for Hong Kong Island residents prompted by falling fuel prices will not be enough to make a difference in the lives of the many of the city’s poorest, an NGO has said.

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Sze Lai-shan, deputy director of the Society for Community Organisation, urged HK Electric on Wednesday to offer more relief measures for residents living in subdivided flats.

“In spite of the drop, some residents have told us electricity prices are still unaffordable, and that living on Hong Kong Island is particularly expensive,” she said.

“Many of the subdivided flats don’t have a separate electricity meter. Tenants succumb to a higher rate set by the lessor. Some lessors also refuse to help their tenants install a separate electricity meter.”

“Many of the subdivided flats don’t have a separate electricity meter,” Sze Lai-shan, deputy director of the Society for Community Organisation, says. Photo: May Tse
“Many of the subdivided flats don’t have a separate electricity meter,” Sze Lai-shan, deputy director of the Society for Community Organisation, says. Photo: May Tse

About one-fifth of the city’s 108,000 subdivided flats are on Hong Kong Island, with most in Eastern district, which includes Fortress Hill, Sai Wan Ho and Shau Kei Wan.

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