The Household Minor Works Validation Scheme (HMWVS) is established under the minor works control system (MWCS) to facilitate members of the public to retain, after validation, minor household installations including air-conditioner supporting frames, drying racks and small canopies constructed without the prior approval of plans from the Buildings Department before the implementation of the MWCS. The works can be validated if they falls within the specifications listed in Part 2 of Schedule 3 of the Building (Minor Works) Regulation (B(MW)R) and must be in existence or completed before the implementation of the Household Minor Works Validation Scheme on 31 December 2010.
The following four items are prescribed building or building works under the HMWVS:
| Item | The prescribed building or building works | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Unauthorised supporting structure for an air-conditioning unit, water cooling tower or any associated air duct
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| 2. | Unauthorised metal supporting frame for an air-conditioning unit or any associated duct
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| 3. | Unauthorised drying rack
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| 4. | Unauthorised canopy
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Flow Chart for the validation of household minor works
PBP/PRC to carry out the inspection and certification of the household installations to ensure that the safety requirements and the respective specifications of the prescribed building or building works items are met. Depending on circumstances, strengthening or alteration works may have to be carried out under the Minor Works Control System
Within 14 days after inspection of the household installations and the related alteration, rectification or strengthening works (if necessary)
PBP/PRC is required to
- Submit a Specified Form (MW06-3),
- Submit photos and other documents to the Buildings Department
Buildings Department
After verification of the key information provided, issue an acknowledgement letter with submission number.
All works which commence after the implementation of the MWCS have to follow the law and will not be covered by the HMWVS. However, it should be noted that the Minor Amenity Feature Validation Scheme has come into effect on 1 September 2021 which provides for the validation of certain unauthorised minor amenity features including some supporting structures/frames for air-conditioning units. For details, please refer to the Minor Amenity Feature Validation Scheme.
The works will still be unauthorised building works after validation. Since at the time when they were constructed, no application to the Building Authority was made. The Building Authority (BA) cannot grant retrospective approval to such works. However, the BA will not serve an order under section 24 or a notice under section 24C of the Buildings Ordinance in respect of these validated structures on the ground that they have been completed or carried out without prior approval and consent.