After receiving a window-inspection notice, verify it, appoint the appropriate person and complete the statutory records. An all-inclusive advertisement still needs an itemised scope.
What to have ready
Before you start
The Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme concerns buildings aged ten years or above that have been served statutory notices, excluding domestic buildings of no more than three storeys. Relevant owners appoint a Qualified Person to inspect the windows covered by the notice and supervise necessary prescribed repairs, with a registered contractor carrying out repairs. Building age alone does not establish that your unit has a current notice. An ordinary maintenance visit does not demonstrate compliance with its scope, deadline or required submissions. Start with the actual notice and official status search.
What to do, step by step
- Check the notice number, premises, scope and deadline against the Buildings Department's official search. Clarify any discrepancy with the authority before responding to a contractor who claims to represent it.
- Verify the Qualified Person and contractor in the official registers. Request a written quotation separating inspection, any repairs, supervision and form submission, and identifying who signs the statutory documents.
- Arrange safe access and obtain the inspection findings. Where repair is needed, agree the affected windows, proposed work and cost before confirming the registered contractor and supervision arrangement.
- Retain inspection and repair records, copies of submitted forms and acknowledgements. Check compliance status after submission; a payment receipt or a contractor's verbal assurance is not the same evidence.
Costs, timing, and things to check
Specified submissions for premises within relevant HOS, TPS or public-rental estates may be handled by the housing authority's Independent Checking Unit. Follow the official routing for the estate instead of automatically sending every form to BD.
Even where no repair is found necessary, confirm the required completion documentation. If a window appears loose or dangerous, contact management promptly and keep away from the hazard while obtaining appropriate assistance.
A practical example
An owner receives two quotations: one simply says window inspection, while the other identifies the Qualified Person, inspection work, separately priced repairs and submissions. The owner checks the register and asks when document copies will arrive. After the work, the owner verifies the notice status, keeping the quotation, findings and acknowledgement together instead of equating the lowest price or final payment with completed compliance.
Verify the people, work and documents to establish completion.
Official information and enquiries
These are the reference and service entry points for this guide. Check current fees, eligibility, and schedules with the authority. The preparation date is not each source's official update date.