Hong Kong’s Chief Executive delivered the 2026 Policy Address on 16 September, setting out technology applications and supporting measures relevant to estate management, fire safety, green infrastructure and care for older residents. For property management companies, Owners’ Corporations and developers, these measures offer practical reference points for planning property upgrades.
NineSmart examines six policy areas and what they could mean for the use of artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) technology and environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles in day-to-day property management.
1. Bringing AI and IoT into estate and building management
The Hong Kong Housing Authority will use technology to improve public housing management and services. Applications include real-time IoT flooding alerts, AI video analytics to identify objects thrown from height and illegal parking, and drones to assist inspections of building façades and lift shafts. Policy source
These applications also offer reference points for private residential estates and commercial buildings. Water-leak sensors can notify management teams when they detect an abnormal condition, while video analytics and licence-plate recognition can support incident handling and vehicle access management.
NineSmart’s environmental monitoring, security and vehicle-recognition solutions can be configured around a property’s needs and existing workflows. Clear arrangements for receiving and following up on alerts help frontline teams turn information into timely action.
2. Supporting fire safety upgrades with IoT detection
The Fire Services Department plans to extend the application of the IoT Fire Detection System to older buildings of seven storeys or above by the end of 2026. Owners may choose the system as an alternative to conventional fire service installations, subject to the applicable requirements. It provides real-time detection and rapid transmission of fire-alarm signals. The Government has also begun work to amend the Fire Services Ordinance to introduce a regime for persons responsible for fire service installations and equipment. Policy source
For owners of older buildings, this is an opportunity to reassess fire-safety upgrade options. In suitable installations, wireless IoT technology may reduce some cabling work and help management teams receive alerts promptly.
System design, installation and maintenance must still reflect the building’s conditions and Fire Services Department requirements. General-purpose IoT sensors should not be treated as equivalent to an accepted fire-safety system.
3. Supporting dispute resolution and joint property management
The Home Affairs Department will introduce a three-tier mechanism for handling building management disputes in 2027. District Council members will coordinate early discussions at the first tier, with referrals to professional mediation and related services at the second. If the issue remains unresolved, parties may take the matter to court at the third tier. Mechanism overview
The Department will also continue the Scheme on Joint Property Management in districts with needs for two years from 2027–28. The Government is progressing amendments to the Building Management Ordinance concerning proxy instruments, declarations of interests and related arrangements. Amendment proposals Policy source
A cloud platform can help companies managing multiple buildings view equipment status and alerts in one place. NineSmart’s solutions support remote monitoring, reducing the need to check separate systems individually.
Sensor records can also inform investigations and mediation, for example by showing when and where a water-leak alert occurred. These records do not establish the source of a leak or responsibility on their own; site inspections and professional assessment remain necessary.
4. Improving operations under the Basic Housing Unit regime
The Basic Housing Unit (BHU) regime has been introduced in phases since March 2026, with registration preceding enforcement. From March 2027, the Housing Bureau will conduct inspections and take enforcement and prosecution action in an orderly manner against the illegal letting of subdivided units without registration or recognition. The Bureau also plans to introduce a pro-bono mediation service scheme for the BHU regime with relevant organisations by the end of 2026. Mediation arrangements Regime and enforcement arrangements
Alongside meeting the applicable requirements, landlords and operators can consider digital tools for routine administration. NineSmart’s smart locks, cloud-based access control and smart utility meters can support access permissions, consumption records and cost allocation according to project needs.
These tools assist operations; installing smart devices does not itself establish that a unit meets BHU recognition or safety requirements.
5. Developing greener estates through recycling and EV infrastructure
The Policy Address proposes increasing smart recycling bins from around 140 sets to around 3,000, with expansion beginning in mid-2027. Recycling stores will also be progressively upgraded to 24-hour self-service smart facilities.
More than 170,000 parking spaces now have charging-enabling infrastructure. The Government will continue to use fast chargers as the backbone of the public charging network and promote mobile charging robots to offer more flexible rapid charging for electric commercial vehicles. Green city measures
For estates and commercial buildings, practical facility management provides a starting point for ESG work. Where equipment and systems support integration, NineSmart can help property teams assess how recycling data could support resident reward programmes, or how licence-plate recognition and charging management systems could work together for charging-bay queues and billing.
Connecting facility data with management workflows can help teams understand usage and adjust services to actual demand.
6. Using gerontechnology to support older residents
The Housing Authority will pilot suitable household gerontechnology equipment in selected public housing estates with a higher proportion of residents of advanced age. The scheme will support older people of advanced age living alone and all-elderly households, before extending progressively to other estates. The Government will also earmark HK$100 million for the Gerontechnology Promotion Scheme to support local enterprises developing elderly-care products and solutions. Policy source
Private estates can also consider motion sensors or emergency call buttons connected to a management platform, notifying designated staff when an event needs attention.
Such arrangements should be based on residents’ consent, appropriate handling of personal data and a clear response process. Timely notifications can help property teams provide more attentive support in everyday services.
Turning policy direction into property upgrades
The 2026 Policy Address points to a growing role for IoT and AI in property management. Owners and management teams can start by identifying the operational issues that most need attention, then plan systems around building conditions, budgets and service requirements.
NineSmart provides smart property management and PropTech solutions that connect environmental monitoring, access control and vehicle management. Contact us to discuss an upgrade approach suited to your property.