The buildings aged above 30 on Shau Kei Wan Road will be reviewed and the authority will survey landlords on whether the buildings have subdivided flats and need urgent repair.

In an online blog yesterday, Wai said the scheme will cover an area of 24 hectares in Sai Wan Ho between Chai Wan Road and King's Road.

The reason for choosing to launch the scheme in this area is because it's a relatively small district compared to Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok district, Tsuen Wan and Sham Shui Po, and will be easier for the authority to handle, Wai said.

There are different kinds of buildings in the area, including private houses and those developed under the Civil Servants' Cooperative Building Society scheme.

There are also some old facilities, under-used land such as waste collection points and temporary parking lots as well as unused land.

Wai said the URA will send letters to property owners, inviting them to fill in questionnaires about whether there are owners' corporations in the buildings and if property management companies have been hired.

Owners will also be asked whether the buildings have elevators and need urgent repair, and whether there are subdivided units, Wai said.

"We also want to find out landlords' opinions on the future urban renewal of this area through this survey, including whether they wish us to redevelop the area or carry out building rehabilitation schemes," he said.

The URA expects to complete the survey by the end of this year.

The Secretary for Development, Michael Wong Wai-lun, also said in his blog yesterday that the URA has finished its District Study for Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok, and the bureau will carry out the suggestions proposed by the URA.

The URA will also conduct similar district research in Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan, and they are expected to complete the research within two years.