Govt could set minimum size for private flats next year the earliest

A minimum size for private homes could be set at slightly bigger than 210 sq ft next year the earliest, Secretary for Development Michael Wong said.

Authorities are mulling to introduce a new requirement for private residential plots in the future to stop developers from building “nano flats”, aka super small studio flats.

The smallest size so far is a 128-square-feet flat in T Plus, Tuen Mun. A buyer bought such flat at HK$1.83 million in 2019, and resold it at HK$2.35 million in March this year -- a price of HK$18,360 per square feet. 

The government will soon launch a study into the matter, Wong said, adding he expected results in near future. New measures could be introduced as soon as next year, he said.

As for what the minimum size will be, Wong expected it will be slightly bigger than 210 square feet (19.5 square meters) – a size named in market rumors.

The official said he was aware of comments saying such a measure would make it even more difficult for citizens to buy flats, as some have no choice but to buy nami flats due to their cheaper prices.

Wong said authorities must strike a balance between impact on citizens and the government's goal to have bigger flats in the city.

Meanwhile, Wong said public flats to be constructed in the Lantau Tomorrow Vision project will be slapped a minimum size requirement too.

The smallest flats will be 20 percent bigger than existing ones. A four-person flat is less than 400 sq feet now, but authorities are mulling to make such flats 440 or even 480 sq feet for the Lantau flats.