Effects of building management regimes of private apartment buildings in Hong Kong

Purpose - There has been a growing public concern over the importance of building management in apartment buildings. However, people's views toward the effects of building management on building performance have long been divergent due to a lack of empirical study. This study aims to empirically test the relationship between building management regimes and the conditions of private apartment buildings in Hong Kong. 

Design/methodology/approach - An assessment scheme was developed to assess the health and safety conditions of 134 apartment buildings. Multiple regression models were then applied to analyze the effect of building management regimes on building conditions. The optimal functional form of the regression models was selected using Box-Cox transformation. 

Findings - The empirical results suggested that the presence of incorporated owners and property management agents (PMA) are significant factors in enhancing building conditions. 

Research limitations/implications - The sample was confined to single block buildings located in one particular district in Hong Kong. Further research is needed to validate the findings in estate-type developments as well as those in other districts. 

Practical implications - The empirical results assisted building owners in determining which management regimes to adopt should they want better building conditions. The government may also consider giving more support to owners by incorporating them and employing PMAs to create a pleasant living environment for society. 

Originality/value - Our study is the first in the literature to provide an empirical test reconciling the divergent views toward the effects of building management with the conditions of buildings.