A Lazy Person's Guide to Interior Design for Public Housing, Home Ownership Scheme Flats, and Private Housing in Hong Kong
A Lazy Guide to Moving into and Renovating Public Housing
Design is about warmth; living is about attitude.
What is the first step to take over the building and get the key? Can the main wall and fire door be removed? How to transform a 300-square-foot flat into a two-bedroom unit? TL Home Tianle Design organizes practical lazy bags, compliance checklists and instant budget estimates for you to avoid decoration traps and give the whole family a warm and comfortable home.
—Find personalized guidance based on your location:
CASE STUDY ‧ 502 SQ.FT
502 sq ft Home Ownership Scheme Two-Bedroom Layout with Flowing Design: Glass Sliding Doors & Concealed Bedroom Doors
The original building's natural lighting direction is preserved, and a metal-framed sliding glass door serves as a flexible boundary between the sleeping and living areas, allowing light to penetrate during the day and protecting privacy at night.
Design Director: Alex S. and the team
Useful Lazy Person's Guide
Covering property handover, declaration, anti-demolition, small unit design, plumbing and electrical renovation, and home material selection, each article includes steps and comparison tables.
Move-in and handover of the property and compliance
Newly moved-in public rental housing tenants
New Public Housing Occupancy Renovation Guide: A 7-Step Checklist from Application and Measurement to Start of Work
Don’t be in a hurry to open the key after you get it! Teach you to distinguish the order of village office application, approved contractor, filling in project description and entry protection.
The first thing to do upon taking possession of the property is to take comprehensive photos to document the original condition of the unit, especially the kitchen and bathroom faucets, doors and windows, floor slope, and existing fixtures.
For renovations of public housing, a renovation work application form must be filled out and submitted to the relevant estate office. Work can only begin after approval is granted. Do not demolish buildings before approval is granted.
Home Ownership Scheme/Green Form Housing Handover Inspection Checklist:
8 key locations to check 48 hours before joining
Move-in and handover of the property and compliance
Second buyers of newly built Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats, Green Form Subsidized Home Ownership Scheme (GSE) flats, and White Form Subsidized Home Ownership Scheme (BSL-S) flats.
When the new building is closed, the cleanliness depends on whether the paint is beautiful or not! Teach you to use a professional building inspection perspective to check for hollow drums, water seepage in window frames, sloping water and circuit leakage.
Property Handover and Compliance
For owners and tenants intending to combine units, modify the kitchen, or install sliding doors.
Which walls can be modified when renovating public housing or Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats? A must-read guide before proceeding with wall demolition, sliding doors, partition walls, or open-plan designs.
Load-bearing walls vs. precast partition walls vs. lightweight brick walls! Understand structural walls, fire safety regulations, and the boundary for works requiring no approval—all in three steps.
Information for reference only. 8 minutes.
Public housing front door, kitchen door and fire safety: What to check before replacing or repairing a door.
Move-in and handover of the property and compliance
Homeowners and tenants who want to convert their kitchens to an open-plan layout and replace the front door with an electronic lock.
Kitchen door removal led to a surprise inspection by the Housing Bureau? Deconstructing Hong Kong's regulations and standards for fire doors in Home Ownership Scheme and public housing, their fire resistance time, and compliance aesthetics.
How to fill out the new public housing renovation application form? A complete guide to contractor information, project specifications, and pre-construction documents.
Move-in and handover of the property and compliance
Residents preparing to fill out forms to apply for renovation approval from the Estate Office.
公屋漏水、發霉、跳掣：先報修、先停損，還是先裝修？
Old house renovation and repair
Public housing residents experiencing water leaks, large areas of mold and black spots on the walls, and frequent gate tripping.
Design of public housing/home ownership flats for seniors: 12 practical details on bathrooms, hallways, bedrooms, and storage.
Family, seniors and daily living
Public housing tenants with elderly members, three-generation households, or those preparing for future retirement.
Air Conditioning, Range Hood, and Electrical Setup for Public Housing and HOS Flats: 6 Locations to Plan for Before Renovation
Move-in, Handover, and Compliance
For residents preparing to purchase air conditioners and range hoods, and planning the layout of electrical outlets throughout the home.
After receiving the notification for flat selection or handover: An evaluation checklist for decision-making based on "district, floor, orientation, layout, and family needs."
Space Planning for Small Units
For applicants about to visit the Lok Fu or Housing Authority sales office to select a unit.
Public Housing/Home Ownership Scheme Floor Plan Guide: 3 Zoning Schemes for Two-Person, Three-Person Families, and Three-Generation Families
Small unit space planning
200-380 sq ft public housing, harmonious housing, and non-standard housing tenants
What should be done first when renovating an old public housing unit? The correct order for pipes, wiring, waterproofing, flooring, and furniture.
Old house renovation and repair
Residents of high-rise public housing estates such as Tung Tau Estate, Wah Fu Estate, and Kin Ming Estate
Points for routine maintenance and self-funded renovation of public housing? 10 questions tenants must ask before renovating.
Old house renovation and repair
Public housing tenants who want to improve their quality of life but are worried about being penalized with points deductions and fines when they move out.
For small units with children or pets: How to choose durable flooring, rounded corner furniture, and concealed storage?
Families, Seniors, and Daily Living
Families living in public housing or Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats who have young children or pets (cats and dogs) and prioritize low-maintenance interiors.
How to read a renovation quote for public housing or HOS flats? A checklist to prevent missed items in the budget—covering demolition, plumbing and electrical work, masonry, furniture, and miscellaneous expenses.
Renovation and Repair of Older Properties
Prospective homeowners and tenants who are comparing multiple renovation quotes and are concerned about project cost overruns.
Quick 3-Second Compliance Check for Public Housing Renovations
Demolishing the wrong wall could lead to a mandatory restoration order and a fine! Click on common renovation ideas to instantly understand the regulatory "traffic lights" and T.L Home’s design solutions.
I’d like to remove the kitchen door and replace it with a semi-open sliding door made of reeded glass—is that feasible?
Many original kitchen doors in Hong Kong's public housing estates and Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats are rated for a statutory fire resistance period of 30 to 60 minutes.
If the original floor plan designates the kitchen as an enclosed space, simply removing the door leaf constitutes a violation of regulations.
A compliant approach is to retain the original fire-rated door frame specifications or to install an automatic-closing fire-resistant glass door system that meets recognized Hong Kong testing standards; this allows for light transmission while eliminating the risk of being ordered to restore the original setup.
I plan to install SPC flooring throughout the flat myself and have a custom-made integrated platform bed installed; do I need to declare this to the Housing Department?
Installing seamless flooring, applying emulsion paint, and fitting non-invasive, custom-made raised furniture fall within the scope of exempted works. One simply needs to complete the estate renovation declaration form before work begins and adhere to the designated working hours; the process is entirely reasonable, proper, and lawful.
There is a solid wall in the middle of the living room; I’d like to knock it down to create a larger open-plan living area—is that feasible?
Walls that produce a solid, heavy sound when tapped and exceed 150mm in thickness are typically structural load-bearing walls or shear walls; demolishing them compromises the building's structural integrity, violates the Housing Ordinance and the Buildings Ordinance, and may result in criminal prosecution.
T.L. Home recommends using visual blending techniques—such as geometric decorative panels in matching tones or floating cabinets—to seamlessly integrate these walls into the space.
I want to replace my main door lock with a high-end electronic one; will this affect the door's fire safety certification?
The entrance doors of public rental housing and subsidized sale flats are typically statutory one-hour fire-rated doors. When replacing the entire door, one must obtain a Hong Kong fire safety certificate issued by an accredited laboratory from the supplier; if only the smart lock is being replaced, the technician performing the installation must ensure that the door's fire-resistant core material is not excessively hollowed out during the drilling process.
Common Questions (Q&A) Regarding Public Rental and Subsidized Sale Housing Renovations
We address the issues of greatest concern: price transparency, project timelines, Housing Department approval, and maintenance terms.
Q: How long does it usually take for the Housing Department to approve a renovation application for a public rental housing unit?
A: Once the estate office receives a complete "Application for Renovation Works by a Contractor," it typically takes about 3 to 7 working days to process the review and return the approved copy. The T.L Home design team assists residents in preparing the standard work specifications in advance to prevent application rejection or requests for resubmission due to vague details.
Q: Can non-structural walls (lightweight brick walls) in HOS flats be demolished?
A: Even if a wall is not a load-bearing wall, you must first consult the building's approved plans and the Deed of Mutual Covenant. Certain prefabricated components connecting to public corridors or external walls form part of the building's overall structure, and statutory requirements regarding ventilation and fire/smoke compartmentalization must not be compromised. Before undertaking any alterations, it is advisable to have a professional assess the work and to submit a declaration to the Independent Checking Unit.
Q: Why was I ordered by the Housing Department to restore the kitchen fire door after removing it to create an open-plan kitchen?
A: Original kitchen fire doors have a statutory fire-resistance rating (typically 30 minutes or one hour) designed to prevent dense smoke from obstructing escape during a fire. If the building's original plans specify an enclosed kitchen design, removing the fire door without authorization violates the Buildings Ordinance; following a report and subsequent inspection, the owner would receive a statutory order requiring them to reinstate the door at their own expense within a specified timeframe.
Q: Is there a charge for the initial consultation and space planning? Are there any hidden fees?
A: Our initial consultation and space planning services are completely free of charge! T.L. Home upholds a standard of high pricing transparency, clearly itemizing unit costs for each phase of work, material specifications, and the scope of construction. We guarantee that, once the contract is signed, there will be absolutely no unscrupulous hidden charges or unexpected add-ons unless the client specifically requests changes to the project scope.
Q: Is maintenance provided after the whole-house project is completed?
A: Yes! T.L. Home provides a one-year free warranty covering the structure and workmanship of whole-house renovation projects. Beyond the warranty period, we offer long-term maintenance support at cost price, as well as as-built circuit diagrams and material lists, ensuring total peace of mind for your home.