Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

The Implications of Singapore's Forced Sale Mechanism for Management Fee Arrears Recovery in Hong Kong's Strata Properties

Jiayao PanXiangtan University*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

Management fee arrears are a core problem in strata property management. They influence the maintenance of common property and the transition of green energy direct. Existing research has confirmed that management fee disputes are a common problem in both Singapore and Hong Kong. However, there has no study analyzes the detailed design of Singapore's forced sale mechanism in depth or probe the enlightenment of Singapore's forced sale mechanism to collection of management fees of strata property in Hong Kong systematically. This study adopts the method of comparative analysis and analyses the system design of Singapore's forced sale mechanism under Building Maintenance & Strata Management Act (BMSMA) Section 43 and discusses the implications of Singapore's forced sale mechanism for Hong Kong. According to research findings, the management fee recovery mechanism of Hong Kong faces triple predicament: the establishment of an Incorporated Owner (IO) is voluntary, the charging memorandum does not authorize compulsory sale, court proceedings take time. Singapore's forced sale possesses apparent advantages: Management Corporation (MC) can register the charging order without court approval, MC has the position of mortgagee, statutory timeline ensures predictability. This paper recommends Hong Kong to use for reference Singapore experience to introduce legal compulsory sale mechanism, set up specialized strata administration arbitration institution, use lawful timeframe to resolve the long-standing challenge of unpaid management fees.

Keywords: Strata property; management fee arrears; forced sale; Singapore; Hong Kong
Published: August 24, 2026
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2026.36299
Volume: CHR Vol.120
pp. 37-44
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