The Basic Housing Units Ordinance (Cap. 658) was gazetted on 3 October 2025 and will come into operation on 1 March 2026 (except Part 2 of the Ordinance). Under the "Basic Housing Units" regulatory regime, a subdivided unit in a domestic building (hereinafter referred to as "SDU") must meet the relevant minimum living environment standards and be certified as a "Basic Housing Unit" before it can be lawfully let (including tenancies and licences to occupy under any agreement), so as to ensure that the SDU provides a safe, hygienic and reasonable living environment. One of the minimum standard is that each SDU must be provided with an individual electricity meter provided exclusively by the power company (i.e. The Hongkong Electric Company, Limited or CLP Power Hong Kong Limited) for that particular unit. Owners/operators of subdivided units must submit the application form and relevant information through the dedicated application procedure for individual electricity meters for subdivided units formulated by the power company.
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) has prepared the Guidelines on Installation of Individual Electricity Meters for Subdivided Units in Domestic Buildings under the Basic Housing Units Regulatory Regime (hereinafter referred to as "the Guidelines") to assist owners/operators of subdivided units and registered electrical contractors in installing individual electricity meters, providing clear and easy-to-understand guidance to comply with the requirements of the Basic Housing Units Ordinance, the Electricity Ordinance and the power companies.
Subdivided units must apply for an electricity meter from the power company in the same way as ordinary domestic units. The power companies have formulated dedicated application procedures and forms specifically for individual electricity meters for subdivided units. In addition, the power companies have also prepared dedicated webpages providing information on applying for individual electricity meters.
Owners/operators of subdivided units must submit the application form and relevant information through the dedicated application procedure formulated by the power company. The power company will respond and follow up after reviewing the application and information, including requesting sufficient information, arranging inspection of electrical installations, connecting supply and installing the individual electricity meter. Owners/operators are advised to submit the application for individual electricity meter as early as possible to allow sufficient time for follow-up with the power company.
Owners/operators of subdivided units must engage a registered electrical contractor in accordance with the Electricity Ordinance to carry out the electrical works related to the individual electricity meter. The registered electrical contractor is also required to assist in preparing and submitting the application form and relevant information to the power company. The register of registered electrical contractors can be accessed on the relevant EMSD webpage.
Owners/operators must engage a registered electrical contractor to inspect and test the fixed electrical installations connected to the individual electricity meter (e.g., distribution board, residual current device, power switches/sockets and wiring for any damage) and issue a valid Certificate of Compliance (Form WR1) to confirm that the fixed electrical installation complies with the requirements and safety standards of the Electricity Ordinance. The works of the registered electrical contractor also include: