Authorized Person (AP) in BHU Certification: Role & How to Choose
BHU certification cannot be applied for by landlords directly. Under the Basic Housing Units Ordinance (Ordinance No. 41 of 2025), every application must be submitted by a Specified Professional — most commonly an Authorized Person (AP) registered with the Buildings Department under the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123). Without an AP, there is no BHU certification.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Legal Role | Specified Professional — mandatory lead for all BHU certification applications |
| Accepted Qualifications | Authorized Person (AP) · Registered Structural Engineer (RSE) · Registered Geotechnical Engineer (RGE) |
| Core Duties | On-site assessment · Technical report · Submit Form BHU-01 to Housing Bureau |
| Cost Reference | Assessment + report: HKD 8,000–20,000 (varies by unit count) |
Source: Basic Housing Units Ordinance (Cap. 658), Ordinance No. 41 of 2025 · Housing Bureau Code of Practice on Minimum Standards of Living Conditions for BHU
"AP" vs "Specified Professional" — What the Law Actually Says
The legal term used in the BHU Ordinance is Specified Professional (指明專業人士) — not "Authorized Person". The distinction matters: three categories of professional are accepted under the ordinance:
- Authorized Person (AP) — registered under the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123), typically an architect, building surveyor or civil/structural engineer
- Registered Structural Engineer (RSE) — also registered under Cap. 123
- Registered Geotechnical Engineer (RGE) — also registered under Cap. 123
In practice, most landlords work with APs — typically architects or engineers who are familiar with building assessment, floor plan documentation and the submission requirements of the Buildings Department and Housing Bureau.
⚠️ Landlords Cannot Apply Directly
Form BHU-01 requires a Specified Professional's signature. The Housing Bureau will not accept applications without one. No matter how straightforward your property appears, direct landlord submissions are not permitted under the ordinance.
The AP's 5 Core Duties in the BHU Process
Once engaged, the Authorized Person takes on a defined set of responsibilities from first visit to certificate issuance:
- Site inspection — measure floor area, ceiling height and ventilation; document the current physical condition of each unit against the six BHU minimum standards
- Technical assessment — compare each unit against all 6 BHU minimum standards; identify any areas of non-compliance and their severity
- Renovation advisory — recommend compliance works where required; help the landlord understand scope, priority and cost implications before committing to any works
- Application filing — complete and submit Form BHU-01 and all required attachments to the Housing Bureau as the designated Specified Professional
- Follow-up — respond to Housing Bureau queries and supplementary information requests on behalf of the landlord until the certificate is issued
⚠️ The AP Carries Legal Liability
According to the Buildings Department, the Specified Professional signing the application takes legal responsibility for the accuracy of all certified documents. Choose an AP with professional indemnity insurance — and confirm coverage before signing any engagement letter.
5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an AP
Not all Authorized Persons have BHU-specific experience. The following questions will help you assess competence and avoid costly mistakes:
Are you registered with the Buildings Department?
Ask for their BD registration number and verify it at bd.gov.hk. Only professionals on the Buildings Department register qualify as Specified Professionals under the BHU Ordinance.
How many BHU certifications have you handled?
Experienced APs anticipate rejection risks, prepare documentation correctly on first submission, and reduce back-and-forth with the Housing Bureau. This directly affects your timeline.
Does the quote include application filing and supplementary submissions?
Initial assessment and full application fees should be itemised separately. Some APs quote only for the assessment — and charge additional fees at each subsequent stage. Get full-scope pricing in writing before engaging.
Who supervises renovation works — you or the contractor?
The AP must personally attend and sign off on completed compliance works. If the AP delegates this to the contractor or a junior staff member, the sign-off report may not be accepted by the Housing Bureau.
What is your professional indemnity insurance coverage?
Minimum HKD 2 million is standard industry expectation. The AP carries legal liability for the accuracy of certified documents — adequate insurance protects both the professional and the landlord if a dispute arises.
⚠️ Real Case
A landlord chose the lowest-quoted AP (HKD 5,000 assessment fee). Unfamiliarity with the BHU Ordinance led to two Form BHU-01 rejections. The final timeline was extended by 4 months — and the additional costs incurred from resubmissions, revised reports and extended void periods exceeded the original price difference several times over.
AP Cost Structure and Market Reference
According to market data from Owl Square Group's procurement records, typical AP costs for BHU certification break down as follows:
- On-site assessment and technical report: HKD 8,000–20,000 — add HKD 2,000–3,000 per additional unit beyond the first
- BHU-01 application filing: HKD 3,000–8,000 — some APs include this within the assessment fee; confirm at quotation stage
- Responding to Housing Bureau supplementary requests: HKD 2,000–5,000 per round — additional rounds are common when documentation is incomplete on first submission
- Renovation supervision and sign-off report: HKD 3,000–8,000 — applies where compliance works are required before certification can be granted
Note: AP fees are not government-regulated. The HKIS publishes non-binding reference schedules, but these carry no legal force. Always request an itemised written quotation before engaging any Specified Professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Authorized Person legally required for BHU certification?
Yes. Under the Basic Housing Units Ordinance (Ordinance No. 41 of 2025), BHU certification applications must be submitted by a Specified Professional — which includes an Authorized Person (AP), Registered Structural Engineer (RSE), or Registered Geotechnical Engineer (RGE). According to the Buildings Department, landlords cannot file certification applications directly with the Housing Bureau.
What is the difference between an "AP" and a "Specified Professional"?
"Specified Professional" is the statutory term used in the BHU Ordinance. It covers three professional categories: Authorized Person (AP) registered under the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123), Registered Structural Engineer (RSE), and Registered Geotechnical Engineer (RGE). In practice, most BHU applications are handled by APs — typically architects or building surveyors. All three categories have the same legal authority for BHU purposes.
How can I verify that an AP is registered with the Buildings Department?
According to the Buildings Department, the Register of Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered Geotechnical Engineers is publicly available at www.bd.gov.hk. Search by name or registration number to confirm current registration status. This verification step is essential before signing any engagement letter.
Can a landlord apply for BHU certification without an AP?
No. Form BHU-01 (the official BHU certification application) requires the signature of a Specified Professional as the applicant. The Housing Bureau will not process applications submitted by landlords without a Specified Professional co-signing. Landlords must authorise and appoint a Specified Professional, then co-sign the application as the property owner.
Are AP fees regulated by the government?
AP fees for BHU work are not government-regulated. The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) and other professional bodies publish non-binding fee reference schedules, but these are not mandatory. Request an itemised written quotation covering each stage separately — assessment, application filing, supplementary submissions, and any renovation sign-off.