Hong Kong Government Issues Buyback Offers to Wang Fuk Court Homeowners

The Hong Kong government began issuing buyback offer letters on May 14, 2026, to homeowners at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. This move is part of a broader plan to acquire property titles from residents displaced by a massive fire that occurred in November 2025.

The fire, which killed 168 people, is described as the deadliest blaze in Hong Kong in decades. On May 14, 2026, authorities confirmed they had distributed letters of offer to flat owners across the seven blocks affected by the inferno.

The acquisition process follows a February 2026 announcement stating that the government would allocate up to HK$6.8 billion to buy back the affected flats. This budget is comprised of HK$4 billion from taxpayers’ money and HK$2.8 billion provided by a support fund consisting largely of public donations.

Buyback Options and Deadlines

The government has established a dedicated company, Wang Fuk Court Property Rights Acquisition Limited, to handle the distribution of offer letters and the acquisition of the property titles.

Homeowners who wish to accept the acquisition must sign and return a letter of acceptance to the company by August 31, 2026. Regarding the next steps in the process, a government spokesperson stated:

Upon receipt of the owners’ duly signed ‘Letter of Acceptance,’ the government will make every effort to promptly assist in completing the Agreement for Sale and Purchase and the [Deed of] Assignment

Under the plan announced in February 2026, owners are provided with two primary options: a cash payment or a flat swap for a new government-subsidized unit through a special sales scheme.

For those who choose the cash option, authorities have stated they will expedite payments to allow residents to make purchases in the private housing market. Those opting for the special sales scheme may receive priority in selecting their new flats if they return their letter of acceptance by June 30, 2026.

Arrangements for Wang Chi House

Wang Chi House was the only block in the estate not affected by the fire. However, the government has extended a conditional buyback plan to its owners. The buyback will be made available to residents of Wang Chi House if 75 per cent of the owners sign their letters of acceptance by June 30, 2026.

The government previously indicated that the buyback of Wang Chi House would require an additional HK$1 billion in funding.

Resident Skepticism and Demolition Plans

The buyback plan has met with resistance from some residents who have called for the housing estate to be rebuilt at its original location. Despite these calls, the government has maintained that the buyback plan is final.

Authorities stated that the seven towers hit by the fire suffered irreversible internal damage. The government plans to tear down these buildings to make way for a park or other community facilities.

Some residents have expressed skepticism regarding the extent of the damage. This doubt follows a public inquiry into the fire, which revealed that the damage was concentrated in a number of buildings rather than across all affected towers.

some residents expressed a desire to return to the estate after they were permitted to enter their homes to retrieve personal belongings on April 20, 2026, reporting that their flats appeared largely unscathed.

Legal and Investigatory Oversight

The deadly fire is currently the subject of an investigation by an independent committee. Judge David Lok serves as the chair of this committee, which held a public hearing on March 26, 2026.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong, who is leading the buyback initiative, addressed the possibility of owners refusing to sell their properties. In February 2026, Wong stated that the government would study whether special legislation might be required to facilitate the acquisition if some owners decline the offer.

The government statement issued on May 14, 2026, did not specify the arrangements available for homeowners who choose not to accept the buyback offers.