This English translation is for reference only. The Chinese version shall prevail in case of any inconsistencies.
Notice on Issuing the Measures for the Administration of Public Rental Housing in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin
All relevant departments,
The Measures for the Administration of Public Rental Housing in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin has been approved upon deliberation at the session of the Executive Committee of the Cooperation Zone, and is hereby issued to you for your careful implementation. Should any issues arise during implementation, please promptly report them to the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone.
Urban Planning and Construction Bureau
of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin
March 28, 2024
Normative Document No. 3/2024 of the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau
Measures for the Administration of Public Rental Housing in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin
Contents
Chapter I General Provisions
Chapter II Planning, Construction, and Housing Supply
Chapter III Application and Review
Chapter IV Waiting List and Allocation
Chapter V Lease Management and Termination Procedures
Chapter VI Legal Responsibilities
Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions
Chapter I
General Provisions
Article 1.
Purpose of the Measures
In order to enhance the housing support system in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin (hereinafter referred to as the “Cooperation Zone”), and standardize the construction, allocation, and management of public rental housing, these Measures are hereby formulated in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, as well as in light of the actual circumstances of the Cooperation Zone.
Article 2.
Scope of Application
These Measures shall apply to the planning, construction, supply, allocation, supervision, and administration of public rental housing in the Cooperation Zone.
Article 3.
Public Rental Housing
“Public rental housing” refers to housing provided by the Executive Committee of the Cooperation Zone (hereinafter referred to as the “Executive Committee”) under preferential policies, with regulated construction standards and rent levels. It is designated for eligible registered residents facing housing difficulties, as well as frontline workers in environmental sanitation, public transportation, and other essential public services who are facing housing difficulties.
Public rental housing may be supplied through various means, including centralized construction, renovation, purchase, long-term leasing, and social donations.
Public rental housing may take the form of fully independent housing units or dormitory-style accommodations.
Article 4.
Division of Responsibilities
The Housing Support Task Force of the Cooperation Zone shall oversee, coordinate, and guide the development of public rental housing in the Cooperation Zone. The member units of the Housing Support Task Force shall carry out related tasks within their respective areas of responsibility.
The Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone shall serve as the competent authority for public rental housing. Its responsibilities include formulating relevant policies, drafting public rental housing supply plans, allocating housing resources, and guiding and supervising the allocation process.
The housing support service institutions of the Cooperation Zone shall undertake administrative, technical, and auxiliary tasks related to the construction, supply, application review, allocation, and operation of public rental housing in the Cooperation Zone.
Article 5.
Support Principles
Public rental housing in the Cooperation Zone shall be allocated based on a classified approach, with priority given to families receiving minimum subsistence allowances or low-income families facing housing difficulties.
Article 6.
Information Disclosure
The Housing Support Service Platform of the Cooperation Zone serves as the official platform for publishing information related to public rental housing. The Urban Planning and Construction Bureau and the housing support service institutions shall promptly update information, including housing availability, allocation details, waiting lists, and remaining housing.
Member units of the Housing Support Task Force of the Cooperation Zone shall progressively establish information-sharing channels with the Housing Support Service Platform.
Chapter II
Planning, Construction, and Housing Supply
Article 7.
Plan Drafting
The Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone shall collaborate with relevant functional departments to draft development plans and annual construction plans for public rental housing. These plans shall be published and implemented upon approval by the Executive Committee.
Development plans for public rental housing shall align with the overall urban planning and land use planning and shall be integrated into the national economic and social development plans.
Article 8.
Land Supply
The construction land for public rental housing projects funded by the Executive Committee shall be supplied through allocation. Land use quotas for public rental housing shall be listed separately and prioritized. Annual construction land plans shall be incorporated into the annual land supply plans.
Article 9.
Housing Sources
The supply sources of public rental housing include:
1. Housing constructed with funding from the Executive Committee;
2. Housing repurposed from properties previously designated for other purposes with the approval of the Executive Committee;
3. Housing converted from existing state-owned housing stock;
4. Housing purchased or leased by the Executive Committee;
5. Housing donated by the public; and
6. Other sources.
Article 10.
Planning Requirements
Public rental housing projects shall be planned in accordance with the principles of rational distribution, comprehensive supporting facilities, proximity to employment, and convenient living.
Public rental housing projects shall be prioritized in areas with well-developed amenities and services. When surrounding amenities are insufficient, a certain proportion of supporting commercial services may be included in the project and operated and managed by the property owner or a designated housing support service institution within the Cooperation Zone. Stand-alone public rental housing projects must include adequate public services and utilities, as required by planning requirements. Supporting public service facilities shall comprise at least 11% of the total residential floor area, with commercial services comprising no more than 5% of the total residential floor area.
Article 11.
Construction Requirements
Public rental housing shall primarily aim to meet basic housing needs. Newly constructed self-contained public rental housing units shall be designed with consideration for functionality, layout, and resident population, with an appropriate mix of unit sizes and structures. Individual unit size shall not exceed 60 square meters. Dormitory-style public rental housing shall comply with the Code for Design of Dormitory Building, ensuring a per capita residential floor area of no less than 5 square meters. For public rental housing repurposed or converted from existing housing stock, the unit floor area standards may be appropriately adjusted based on structural limitations and other objective factors.
Public rental housing shall be renovated under the principle of affordability, with strict control over construction standards and project costs.
Article 12.
Funding Sources
Funding for public rental housing construction shall be drawn from the following sources:
1. Special construction funds allocated in the annual government budget;
2. Investment income from the housing provident fund, after deducting loan loss reserves and administrative expenses;
3. A designated portion of net land granting revenue;
4. Special subsidies from the central and provincial governments;
5. Rental income from public rental housing and its ancillary facilities;
6. Funds raised through investment and financing activities; and
7. Other sources of funding.
Article 13.
Property Registration
The residential units of public rental housing projects shall, in principle, be collectively registered. The property registration department shall indicate “Public Rental Housing” as the nature of the rights on the immovable property rights certificate, with a note stating: “The property shall not be divided for registration, transfer, or mortgage. However, it may be collectively (entire building) transferred in accordance with the law, and its public rental housing status shall remain unchanged upon transfer”.
Ancillary commercial facilities may be separately registered and may be legally transferred or rented.
Article 14.
Preferential Tax Treatment
The construction, purchase, and operation of public rental housing shall enjoy preferential tax policies as stipulated by relevant regulations.
Chapter III
Application and Review
Article 15.
Application Integrity
Applications for public rental housing shall adhere to the principle of integrity. Applicants shall submit application materials in accordance with regulations and ensure their authenticity.
Article 16.
Application Principles
Low- and middle-income residents with registered household status facing housing difficulties shall apply for public rental housing on a household basis. For frontline workers in environmental sanitation, public transportation, and other basic public services facing housing difficulties, applications shall be submitted by their employers, who shall arrange housing for eligible workers in accordance with regulations. For household-based applications, one eligible family member shall be designated as the primary applicant, with other family members listed as co-applicants. Applicants and co-applicants shall have statutory support relationships, such as providing for the elderly, raising minors, or offering mutual support.
Single residents applying for public rental housing shall be the sole applicant.
For employer-based applications, the employer shall assign designated personnel to handle the application process and assist in the application, allocation, supervision, and management of public rental housing.
Article 17.
Application Conditions for Low-income Earners with Registered Household Status
Low-income families with housing difficulties, whose annual per capita household income is below 150% of the Cooperation Zone’s minimum urban subsistence allowance, shall meet the following conditions to be eligible for public rental housing:
1. Applicants and co-applicants shall hold household registrations in the Cooperation Zone and have resided there for at least two years. If an applicant’s spouse does not hold a household registration but works or resides in the Cooperation Zone, the spouse shall be listed as a co-applicant;
2. Applicants shall be from households with no property ownership or with a per capita residential floor area below 15 square meters in the Cooperation Zone;
3. Applicants and co-applicants shall not own motor vehicles, except for vehicles specially designed for persons with disabilities, gasoline-powered motorcycles, or electric scooters;
4. Applicants and co-applicants shall not have sold any properties within the Cooperation Zone or Zhuhai City in the five years preceding the application acceptance date; and
5. The per capita household assets shall not exceed ten times the annual minimum urban subsistence allowance of the Cooperation Zone.
Single residents aged 30 or above who meet the above conditions may independently apply for public rental housing. Orphans aged 18 or above may also apply independently if they meet the specified conditions.
Article 18.
Application Conditions for Lower Middle-income Earners with Registered Household Status
Lower middle-income families with housing difficulties, whose annual per capita household income is above 150% of the Cooperation Zone’s minimum urban subsistence allowance but below 60% of the Cooperation Zone’s urban per capita disposable income, shall meet the following conditions to be eligible for public rental housing:
1. Applicants shall hold household registrations in the Cooperation Zone and have resided there for at least two years. Co-applicants may be permanent residents with household registrations outside the Cooperation Zone;
2. Applicants shall be from households with no property ownership or with a per capita residential floor area below 15 square meters in the Cooperation Zone;
3. Applicants and co-applicants shall not own motor vehicles, except for vehicles specially designed for persons with disabilities, gasoline-powered motorcycles, or electric scooters;
4. Applicants and co-applicants shall not have sold any properties within the Cooperation Zone or Zhuhai City in the five years preceding the application acceptance date; and
5. The per capita household assets shall not exceed fifteen times the annual minimum urban subsistence allowance of the Cooperation Zone.
Single residents aged 30 or above who meet the above conditions may independently apply for public rental housing. Orphans aged 18 or above may also apply independently if they meet the specified conditions.
Article 19.
Scope of Asset Verification
The scope of asset verification includes properties, vehicles, and industrial and commercial registrations owned by family members, etc., including those acquired through inheritance or gift.
Article 20.
Exceptional Circumstances
Applicants and co-applicants experiencing severe financial difficulties due to major illnesses or other exceptional circumstances, who transferred property rights within the five years prior to the date of application (excluding transfers to immediate family members or siblings), shall not be subject to the condition outlined in Articles 17 and 18 of these Measures, which prohibits property sales within the five years preceding the application acceptance date for public rental housing support.
Applicants and co-applicants shall provide diagnostic reports, hospitalization records, and other relevant supporting documents issued by specialists from hospitals at Grade II or above.
Article 21.
Applications Conditions for Frontline Workers Providing Environmental Sanitation, Public Transportation, and Other Basic Public Services with Housing Difficulties
Frontline workers providing environmental sanitation, public transportation, and other basic public services with housing difficulties shall meet the following conditions to be eligible for public rental housing:
1. Workers shall have signed labor contracts with employers registered in the Cooperation Zone or those registered outside but serving the Cooperation Zone. These contracts shall remain valid during the workers’ period of residence;
2. Workers shall have had social insurance contributions made by their employers for at least one month while providing basic public services, such as environmental sanitation or public transportation, in the Cooperation Zone;
3. Workers and their family members shall not own private housing in the Cooperation Zone and shall not have disposed of such housing through divorce within three years before the application acceptance date;
4. Workers and their family members shall not currently be renting subsidized or other preferential policy-based housing in the Cooperation Zone; and
5. Workers and their family members shall not be receiving housing rental subsidies in the Cooperation Zone.
Article 22.
Physical Housing Allocation
For applicants meeting the conditions specified in Articles 17 and 18 of these Measures, public rental housing may be provided either through direct allocation of physical housing or the issuance of rental subsidies.
For families with housing difficulties who qualify for public rental housing, low-income and lower middle-income earners shall primarily receive physical housing but may voluntarily opt for rental subsidies. Frontline workers providing environmental sanitation, public transportation, and other basic public services with housing difficulties shall be allocated physical housing.
A differentiated rent system shall apply to physical housing allocations, with rent reductions based on the applicant’s degree of housing difficulty and income levels:
1. Eligible low-income earners with registered household status, as well as frontline workers providing environmental sanitation, public transportation, and other basic public services with housing difficulties whose annual household per capita income is at or below 150% of the Cooperation Zone’s minimum urban subsistence allowance, shall pay 10% of the average market rent in the Cooperation Zone;
2. Eligible lower middle-income earners with household registration, as well as frontline workers providing environmental sanitation, public transportation, and other basic public services with housing difficulties whose annual household per capita income is above 150% but at or below 60% of the Cooperation Zone’s urban per capita disposable income, shall pay 30% of the average market rent; and
3. Eligible frontline workers providing environmental sanitation, public transportation, and other basic public services with housing difficulties whose annual household per capita income is above 60% of the Cooperation Zone’s urban per capita disposable income shall pay 50% of the average market rent.
Article 23.
Rent Subsidies
Rent subsidies shall be provided on a tiered basis, determined by household composition, income levels, and the difference between per capita residential floor area and the subsidized floor area standard. The standards for rent subsidies are as follows:
1. Eligible low-income earners with registered household status shall receive subsidies covering 90% of the average market rent in the Cooperation Zone; and
2. Eligible lower middle-income earners with registered household status shall receive subsidies covering 70% of the average market rent in the Cooperation Zone.
The subsidized floor area is set at 15 square meters per capita. For single-person households, the subsidized population shall be calculated at 150% of the household size. For households with two to four members, the calculation shall be based on the actual number of members. For households with more than four members, the calculation shall include an additional 80% of the per capita standard for each additional member beyond four.
Rent subsidies shall be calculated monthly and issued quarterly upon approval. If a subsidized individual or family no longer meets the eligibility criteria, the subsidies shall cease from the following month.
The methods of housing support may be changed. Families opting for rent subsidies may apply to switch to physical housing allocation after one year. Families opting for physical housing allocation (excluding frontline workers providing environmental sanitation, public transportation, and other basic public services with housing difficulties) may apply to switch to rent subsidies, provided they relinquish their public rental housing before receiving subsidies.
Article 24.
Application Methods
Eligible applicants may submit written applications to the housing support service institutions or complete the application process online via the Housing Support Service Platform of the Cooperation Zone.
Families with registered household status who are facing housing difficulties shall, in principle, apply for public rental housing on a household basis and submit the following materials:
1. Application Form for Public Rental Housing;
2. Commitment Letter for Application Integrity;
3. Supporting materials for household income and assets;
4. Immovable property rights certificates or other documents proving the applicants’ housing status; and
5. Identification cards and household registrations of the applicants and co-applicant family members.
Frontline workers providing environmental sanitation, public transportation, and other basic public services who are facing housing difficulties shall apply for public rental housing through their employers. In addition to the materials listed above, the following shall also be submitted:
1. Labor or employment contracts; and
2. Certificates of social insurance contributions.
Enterprises that have already established worker apartments and dormitories under supporting policies by the Executive Committee shall not apply for public rental housing constructed or provided through investments by the Executive Committee.
Article 25.
Review Requirements
The Urban Planning and Construction Bureau shall review whether applicants and co-applicants with household registrations in the Cooperation Zone meet the conditions specified in Articles 17, 18, and 21 of these Measures. The information of eligible applicants shall be referred to the Livelihood Affairs Bureau. The review period is 15 working days, extendable by an additional 15 working days under exceptional circumstances.
The Livelihood Affairs Bureau may, if necessary, request assistance from the Commercial Services Bureau, the Real Estate Registration Center, and other departments to verify applicants’ household income and property status, issue verification reports, and provide detailed family income figures to the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau.
For applicants who are deemed eligible after review, the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau shall announce the results publicly on its official website for a period of seven days.
If no objections are raised during the public announcement period, or if raised objections are found to be unsubstantiated, the applicants shall be registered on the public rental housing waiting list and publicly disclosed. If valid objections are raised, the applicants shall not be registered on the public rental housing waiting list, and they shall be notified in writing with explanations.
Applicants deemed ineligible upon examination shall receive written notification with explanations. Applicants who object to the review results may apply to the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau for re-review. The Urban Planning and Construction Bureau, together with relevant departments, shall conduct a re-review and notify the applicants of the results in writing within 15 working days.
Chapter IV
Waiting List and Allocation
Article 26.
Waiting Period
The Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone shall confirm eligible applicants for public rental housing after the public disclosure process as applicants on the waiting lists. Public rental housing shall be allocated to applicants on waiting lists within the waiting period. The waiting period shall generally not exceed three years.
Article 27.
Classified Waiting Lists
Public rental housing shall follow a system of classified waiting lists and transparent allocation. The rules and relevant information about waiting lists shall be disclosed on the Housing Support Service Platform of the Cooperation Zone.
Article 28.
Report of Changes
During the waiting period, applicants shall proactively report any changes in family members, household registration, income, properties, assets, or other relevant circumstances to the housing support service institutions of the Cooperation Zone. Where applicants are deemed eligible under these Measures upon review of the changes, their relevant information shall be updated, and they shall remain on the waiting lists. Applicants found ineligible shall be removed from the waiting lists for public rental housing and be notified in writing with explanations.
Article 29.
Allocation Review
The Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone shall re-review applicants who have reached their turn on the waiting lists before allocation. Applicants failing to meet eligibility upon re-review shall be notified in writing with explanations, and no further allocations shall be made.
Article 30.
Priority Allocation
Among eligible applicants who have reached their turn on the waiting lists, priority allocations may be granted to recipients of regular national subsidies and allowances, elderly individuals living alone, individuals suffering from chronic or acute illnesses, individuals with disabilities, and individuals recognized for acts of bravery.
Article 31.
Allocation Plans
The Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone shall develop annual allocation plans for public rental housing based on the available housing supply and the status of applicants on waiting lists.
Detailed allocation rules for frontline workers providing environmental sanitation, public transportation, and other basic public services with housing difficulties shall be formulated by the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone. Employers shall arrange housing for eligible frontline workers and submit relevant information to the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau for recordation before move-in.
Article 32.
Allocation Methods
The allocation of public rental housing will adhere to the principles of openness, equality, and fairness. The allocation can be implemented through the following methods:
1. Centralized Allocation: Public announcements by the housing support service institutions of the Cooperation Zone shall be made to initiate centralized allocation when projects meet the supply conditions; and
2. Regular Allocation: The remaining housing supply after centralized allocation shall be allocated on a regular basis.
Public rental housing shall be allocated to eligible applicants through a random drawing or similar selection method.
Dormitory-style housing may accommodate multiple workers in a centralized manner. Front-line workers providing environmental sanitation, public transportation, and other basic public services with housing difficulties shall primarily be allocated dormitory-style public rental housing. Workers applying as households may be allocated independent public rental housing based on family size.
The allocated floor area of public rental housing shall follow the following standards:
1. For single residents, the floor area of allocated public rental housing shall generally not exceed 35 square meters;
2. For households with two members, the floor area of allocated public rental housing shall generally not exceed 50 square meters; and
3. For households with three or more members, the floor area of allocated public rental housing shall generally not exceed 60 square meters.
Housing units exceeding 70 square meters shall be prioritized for households with five or more members. These units may also be allocated to households with four members depending on supply and demand.
In allocating housing types, the Cooperation Zone’s Urban Planning and Construction Bureau may give special consideration to households with two or more children aged under 18, depending on housing availability.
Article 33.
Allocation Forfeiture
In selecting public rental housing, applicants who fall under any of the following circumstances shall forfeit their allocation and rejoin the waiting list:
1. Failure to participate in the housing selection process as required;
2. Failure to sign the lease contract within the specified period following housing selection;
3. Failure to complete move-in procedures within 30 days after signing the lease contract; and
4. Other circumstances leading to forfeiture of allocation qualifications.
Chapter V
Lease Management and Termination Procedures
Article 34.
Lease Contract
Lessees shall use public rental housing in compliance with the provisions of the lease contracts of public rental housing.
The term of lease contracts for physical housing or rent subsidies shall not exceed five years.
Model lease contracts for public rental housing shall be formulated and publicly announced by the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone.
Lease contracts shall include provisions requiring lessees to: accept verification of assets and income by relevant housing support departments; promptly relinquish the public rental housing upon losing eligibility; accept adjustments to rents and property management fees; and comply with compulsory measures to surrender the public rental housing, as appropriate, imposed by relevant departments.
Article 35.
Rent Management
Rental revenue from public rental housing shall be remitted to the state treasury at the corresponding level in accordance with relevant regulations on non-tax revenue management, and shall be managed separately from expenditures. The funds shall be used exclusively for: repayment of principal and interest on loans for public rental housing projects, subsidies for property management fees, and construction, maintenance, and management of public rental housing.
Article 36.
Rent Reductions and Exemptions
Families allocated public rental housing may be eligible for partial or full rent reductions or exemptions within the subsidized floor area, in addition to the reductions outlined in Article 22 of these Measures, under the following circumstances:
1. Among holders of preferential treatment certificates—including disabled servicemen, families of martyrs, families of servicemen who died on duty or due to illness, demobilized servicemen with illnesses, war and nuclear-test veterans—and model workers recognized at or above the provincial level, full rent exemption shall be granted to low-income and lower middle-income earners with registered household status, while a 50% rent reduction shall apply to other eligible groups as specified in these Measures;
2. Elderly individuals aged 60 and above who are incapable of work, lack a source of income, and have no legal dependents or caregivers shall be fully exempt from rent;
3. Retired officers and members of the “Five Elderlies” (referring to elderly underground Party members, guerrillas, couriers, liaisons, and Soviet Area officers who are still alive and contributed to the Party during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression or the War of Liberation) shall be fully exempt from rent;
4. Among applicants and co-applicants holding Grade I to II physical disability certificates, Grade III to IV intellectual or psychiatric disability certificates issued by China Disabled Persons’ Federation, or Conclusion Statements for Work Capacity Assessment (Confirmation) of Grade I to IV disabilities issued by a work capacity assessment committee, full rent exemption shall apply to low-income and lower middle-income earners with registered household status, while a 50% rent reduction shall apply to other eligible groups as stipulated in these Measures; and
5. Lessees or co-applicants experiencing financial hardship due to major illnesses or special diseases may qualify for a 50% rent reduction during the illness period, upon presenting a disease certificate issued by a hospital of Grade II-A or above.
Article 37.
Property Services
Property services for public rental housing complexes shall be procured through a public tender process overseen by either the property owners or the designated housing support service institutions of the Cooperation Zone.
Article 38.
Subsidies for Property Fees
For low-income families with housing difficulties whose annual per capita household income is below 150% of the minimum urban subsistence allowance, property management fees for public rental housing shall be paid at 50% of the prescribed standard, with the remaining portion subsidized by the government to property service enterprises.
Article 39.
Maintenance and Upkeep
Property owners of public rental housing shall be responsible for the management, maintenance, and upkeep, including ancillary facilities, of the public rental housing.
For public rental housing owned by the Executive Committee, maintenance expenses, including emergency and routine maintenance, shall be included in the government housing fund budget. Any expenses exceeding the annual budget shall require approval by the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone in accordance with regulations on the administration of budgetary fund appropriations. Funds for maintenance and upkeep shall be managed and distributed through special fiscal accounts.
Article 40.
Regular Eligibility Reviews
A system of regular eligibility reviews shall be implemented for public rental housing lessees. If a lessee no longer meets eligibility upon regular reviews by the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone, their lease contracts shall be terminated according to the agreed-upon terms, and they shall return the public rental housing.
Article 41.
Conditions for Returning Public Rental Housing
Lessees shall report any changes in family members, household registrations, income, properties, assets, or other relevant circumstances during the lease term to the housing support service institutions of the Cooperation Zone. If they no longer meet eligibility, they shall withdraw from public rental housing in accordance with regulations. The Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone shall establish a routine inspection mechanism for public rental housing.
Where lessees engage in any of the following actions, lessors may require lessees to return the public rental housing as per the lease contracts. If the lease contracts specify penalties for breach of contract, lessees shall also be liable for those penalties:
1. Applicants or co-applicants no longer work or live in the Cooperation Zone or have transferred their household registrations outside the Cooperation Zone;
2. Unauthorized exchanges, loans, subleases, or mortgages of the leased public rental housing;
3. Changes to the leased public rental housing’s use or conversion for commercial purposes;
4. Leaving the public rental housing unoccupied for over six consecutive months without valid reasons;
5. Non-payment of rent, property management fees, or other expenses for over three consecutive months or a cumulative six months without valid reasons;
6. Substantial damage to the leased public rental housing caused by intent or gross negligence;
7. Conducting unauthorized renovations to the leased public rental housing and refusing to restore it to its original condition;
8. Engagement in illegal activities within the public rental housing;
9. Failure to meet eligibility for public rental housing due to acquiring other housing or other reasons during the lease term;
10. Ineligibility for renewal upon lease expiration; and
11. Other violations as stipulated by laws, regulations, or lease contracts.
In cases of serious violations, actions shall be taken in accordance with the Measures for the Administration of Public Rental Housing in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, as well as relevant laws, regulations, and rules. As a consequence, lessees found guilty of such violations shall be ineligible to apply for public rental housing for five years following the date of the penalty decision.
Article 42.
Return of Public Rental Housing
Under the circumstances specified in Article 41, lessees shall return the public rental housing and complete relevant procedures within 30 days of receiving a notice of contract cancellation or termination. The rent for the 30 days shall be calculated based on the average market rent for comparable housing in the same area of the Cooperation Zone.
Lessees who are unable to vacate within the specified period for valid reasons may apply for an extension of up to six months. During the extension period, rent shall be charged based on the average market rent for comparable housing in the same area of the Cooperation Zone. Lessees who refuse to vacate after the extension period shall bear liability for breach of contract as stipulated in the lease contracts.
Where lessees refuse to return public rental housing without valid reasons, the housing support service institutions of the Cooperation Zone or the property owners shall order the return within a specified period. Lessees who fail to comply shall be evicted by the housing support service institutions in accordance with the law and held liable for breach of contract as stipulated in the lease contracts.
Where employers providing environmental sanitation, public transportation, and other basic public services lose their market participant status due to bankruptcy, license revocation, or relocation of their registered addresses outside the Cooperation Zone, they shall vacate and return the public rental housing within three months. The rent for this three-month period shall be calculated based on the average market rent for comparable housing in the same area of the Cooperation Zone.
Article 43.
Rent Arrears and Collection Procedures
Lessees who fail to pay rent as stipulated shall be subject to collection efforts by the housing support service institutions of the Cooperation Zone or the property owners.
The housing support service institutions of the Cooperation Zone shall regularly publish the names of lessees with unjustified rent arrears on the Housing Support Service Platform of the Cooperation Zone and at the lessees’ residential locations.
Article 44.
Re-review and Complaint
Applicants or other interested parties who object to the review, waiting list placement, or allocation results for public rental housing may request a re-review from or file a complaint with the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone.
Article 45.
Lease Relationship Certificate
If lessees require a certificate verifying their lease relationship, it may be issued by the lessors of public rental housing.
Article 46.
Prohibition
No entity shall distribute physical housing under the pretense of renting out public rental housing.
Article 47.
Reporting Violations
Any individual or entity may report violations of these Measures to the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone.
The Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone shall investigate and address reported violations within 15 working days. If the reports are verified as valid, appropriate rewards shall be given to the reporting parties.
Chapter VI
Legal Responsibilities
Article 48.
Penalties for Applicant Fraud
Where applicants or co-applicants falsify or conceal information regarding household registrations, family composition, income, assets, or housing status, or forge relevant documents to fraudulently obtain public rental housing or rent subsidies, the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone shall, upon investigation and verification, reject their applications or remove them from the waiting lists for public rental housing. In addition, their applications for public rental housing shall not be accepted for a period of five years. For applicants already allocated public rental housing, the housing support service institutions of the Cooperation Zone or property owners shall reclaim the housing in accordance with the lease contracts and require the lessees to pay rent at market rates in the Cooperation Zone. For applicants who have received rent subsidies, the housing support service institutions or property owners shall recover the subsidies.
Where units are found to have issued fraudulent certificates, the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone shall refer the matter to relevant authorities to pursue accountability in accordance with the law.
Article 49.
Penalties for Official Misconduct in Regulation
Where personnel of the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau or other relevant departments of the Cooperation Zone violate these Measures by neglecting their duties, engaging in favoritism or fraud, or abusing their authority in the management of public rental housing, the directly responsible supervisors and other liable personnel shall be subject to disciplinary actions in accordance with the law. If such actions constitute a crime, the case shall be transferred to competent authorities for criminal investigation and prosecution in accordance with the law.
Article 50.
Penalties for Misconduct by Management and Operating Units
Where the property owners of public rental housing constructed or made available by the Executive Committee, or the housing support service institutions of the Cooperation Zone, engage in any of the following acts, the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone shall order rectification within a specified period and hold them liable for breach of contract as stipulated. If such acts constitute criminal conduct, the liable parties shall be referred to the competent authorities for prosecution in accordance with the law:
1. Renting public rental housing to ineligible individuals;
2. Failing to fulfill maintenance and upkeep obligations for public rental housing and its ancillary facilities; and
3. Altering the subsidized nature, intended use, or planned purposes of public rental housing or its ancillary facilities.
Article 51.
Penalties for Misconduct by Construction Units
Where construction units for public rental housing fail to meet the required standards in constructing public rental housing projects, the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone shall require rectification in accordance with contract terms and hold them liable for breach of contract.
Chapter VII
Supplementary Provisions
Article 52.
Alternative Use Provisions
On the premise of ensuring that all eligible individuals are adequately covered by public rental housing, idle public rental housing may, in accordance with prescribed procedures, be repurposed as government-subsidized rental housing.
Idle public rental housing may also, under prescribed procedures, be repurposed as temporary accommodations in cases of fire, flood, typhoon, or other situations where its use is approved by the Executive Committee.
Article 53.
Notes on Frontline Workers Providing Environmental Sanitation, Public Transportation, and Other Basic Public Services
The scope of frontline workers providing environmental sanitation, public transportation, and other basic public services under these Measures shall be defined by the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone. This definition shall be based on relevant national standards for basic public services and comprehensive considerations, and shall be explicitly stated in public rental housing allocation announcements.
Article 54.
Power of Interpretation
These Measures shall be subject to interpretation by the Urban Planning and Construction Bureau of the Cooperation Zone.
Article 55.
Effective Date
These Measures shall come into effect on April 20, 2024, and shall remain valid for a period of five years.