BHU Registration Tracker
As of 31 August 2026, over 70,000 subdivided units in Hong Kong have applied for grace-period registration under the Basic Housing Units Ordinance (Cap. 658) — about 64% of the estimated 110,000 subdivided flats citywide (those applications span roughly 20,000 residential flats). The Housing Bureau publishes updated figures periodically, not on a fixed schedule. With the free registration deadline falling on 28 February 2027, the remaining ~40,000 unregistered units have fewer than six months to act at no cost.
- Over 70,000 of an estimated 110,000 subdivided units have applied for registration (~64%), as of 31 August 2026
- Grace-period registration is FREE until 28 February 2027; missing the deadline risks losing that window
- From 1 March 2027, renting an uncertified SDU without registration is a criminal offence under Cap. 658 s.8
| Metric | Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated SDUs citywide | ~110,000 | Government estimate |
| SDUs covered by registration applications | ~70,000 | Housing Bureau public data; spans ~20,000 residential flats |
| Application coverage rate | ~64% | ~40,000 units not yet covered by an application |
| Free registration deadline | 28 Feb 2027 | Less than 6 months away |
| Enforcement date | 1 Mar 2027 | Unregistered units face criminal liability |
Source: Housing Bureau, figures announced 31 August 2026 (as reported by Sing Tao/stheadline, 3 September 2026); the Bureau publishes updated figures periodically, not on a fixed schedule
Why Are ~40,000 Units Still Not Covered by a Registration Application?
The remaining registration gap is driven by three compounding factors:
Many landlords — especially cross-border owners who do not follow local news closely — are unaware that registration is mandatory or that it is currently free. The ordinance received limited mainstream media coverage outside specialist property channels.
Some landlords assume enforcement will not reach them, or are waiting to see how aggressively the Housing Bureau acts before taking action. Given the penalty structure — HKD 300,000 fine, 3 years' imprisonment plus HKD 20,000 per day — this is a significant gamble.
Confusion between grace-period registration and full BHU certification has led many landlords to delay both. Some incorrectly believe that because they cannot yet afford or arrange certification, there is no point registering. In fact, registration and certification are separate steps with different timelines.
⚠️ Not Registered ≠ Not Liable
Under Cap. 658 s.8, once the offence provision takes effect on 1 March 2027, renting out any uncertified SDU in an unregistered flat is a criminal offence — even if you have owned the property for decades. The prosecution net covers: (a) the direct landlord of the uncertified SDU; (b) any person who rented the whole flat under a head lease; and (c) any other person entitled to receive the rent from that flat.
Registration vs Certification — Two Separate Steps
Landlords often conflate these two steps. They are legally distinct and serve different purposes:
- Cost: Free (HKD $0)
- Apply by 28 Feb 2027
- Applied per flat (not per unit)
- No inspection needed
- Buys time to achieve certification
- Fees may apply (depends on timing)
- No hard deadline (but needed before enforcement)
- Applied per individual subdivided unit
- In-person inspection required
- Legal compliance achieved (valid 60 months)
What Unregistered Landlords Must Do Before 28 February 2027
Grace-period registration is available to flats where at least one subdivided unit was rented out at any point between 4 July 2025 and 3 October 2025 (the three months ending on the gazettal date of 3 October 2025). Confirm this before proceeding.
Data Sources and Update Frequency
The figures on this page draw from the following sources:
- The Housing Bureau publishes updated registration figures periodically (via press briefings, community outreach events, or Legislative Council answers) — not on a fixed weekly or monthly cadence. For the latest official information, visit bhu.gov.hk. The ~70,000-SDU figure used on this page was announced by the Housing Bureau on 31 August 2026.
- The 110,000 figure is a government estimate. Actual numbers may vary; the precise total will only be known once the registration period closes. The Housing Bureau has also indicated roughly 80,000 of these units are expected to need only minor modifications to meet BHU minimum standards.
- This page is reviewed by the Owl Standard editorial team whenever the Housing Bureau announces a material update; it was last reviewed in September 2026, reflecting data as of 31 August 2026.
- Applications submitted ≠ certified. Registration applications are made per flat, but the ~70,000-unit figure counts affected subdivided units, not flats (that batch of applications spans ~20,000 residential flats) — the two unit types should not be conflated. Separately, the number of units with a valid BHU recognition certificate is far lower than the registration figures — certification requires an additional in-person inspection and recognition process, which the Housing Bureau reports separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many subdivided flats in Hong Kong have applied for registration under the BHU ordinance?
As of 31 August 2026, over 70,000 subdivided units have been covered by grace-period registration applications, out of an estimated 110,000 subdivided units citywide — an application coverage rate of around 64% (that batch of applications spans about 20,000 residential flats). Roughly 40,000 subdivided units are not yet covered by an application. The Housing Bureau publishes updated figures periodically; landlords can check the latest information at bhu.gov.hk.
What is the deadline for free BHU grace-period registration?
Under the Basic Housing Units Ordinance (Cap. 658), the grace-period registration window runs for 12 months from 1 March 2026, closing on 28 February 2027. Registration during this period is free (HKD $0). After the deadline, if the period is extended, fees rise to HKD $745 per flat, and the grace-period protection is lost.
What is the difference between BHU registration and BHU certification?
Grace-period registration is an application made per flat to the Housing Bureau, declaring that the flat contains subdivided units. It is free and buys landlords a longer window to achieve full certification. BHU certification (recognition) is a separate per-unit process that requires a specified professional to conduct an in-person site inspection and certify that the unit meets all minimum living-condition standards under Cap. 658 Schedule 1. Registration alone does not make a unit legally compliant.
What happens if a landlord has not registered by 1 March 2027?
Under Cap. 658 s.8, from 1 March 2027, renting out any subdivided unit in a flat that has no valid grace-period registration — and where at least one unit lacks valid BHU recognition — is a criminal offence. On conviction on indictment: up to HKD 300,000 fine and 3 years' imprisonment, plus a HKD 20,000 daily continuing fine for every day the offence continues. On summary conviction: Level 6 fine and 2 years' imprisonment, plus the same daily continuing fine.
Who qualifies for grace-period registration?
A flat qualifies if at least one of its subdivided units was the subject of a residential tenancy at any point during the three months ending on the gazettal date — that is, between 4 July 2025 and 3 October 2025. The application must be made by the flat owner, or by any person with the owner's written consent, using the prescribed form, with a fee of HKD $0, submitted to the Housing Bureau before 28 February 2027.