HKIH Code of Conduct
Revision 2007 - Effective 4 October 2007


The Hong Kong Institute of Housing was incorporated in Hong Kong on 29 November 1988 under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) as a company limited by guarantee. Also, under The Hong Kong Institute of Housing Ordinance (Chapter 507 of 1997) which was commenced on 9 May 1997, the Institute is incorporated as a legal entity.

It is the professional body in Hong Kong for those who are engaged in the co-ordination and execution of housing services incorporating the design, provision, improvement, rehabilitation, management and administration of all types of housing.

The management of the Institute's business is vested in the Council which consists of the President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Immediate Past President, plus not less than 10 and not more than 25 corporate members elected at the annual general meeting of members.


The major objectives and functions of the Institute are:
(a) To promote the standards and ideals of the science and art of the profession of housing practice.
(b) To provide a central organisation for those engaged in the profession, to promote the management of housing estates and property by properly trained and qualified housing practitioners, and generally to foster the improvement of housing in all respects.
(c) To provide opportunities for the acquisition and dissemination of technical information by and among members of the profession with a view to improving standards of efficiency.
(d) To select, train and test by examination and to grant certificates and diplomas and to award prizes to persons desirous of entering the profession or obtaining advancement therein.
(e) To co-operate with other bodies and persons in Hong Kong and elsewhere in connection with all or any of the Institute's objects.
(f) To advance and promote learning and education of the profession and to offer and provide management, teaching and any other service whatsoever for the education of the profession.
(g) To organise and arrange conventions, conferences, meetings, lectures, class, exhibitions, demonstrations, displays, shows and gatherings of any kind whatsoever so as to further the profession.
(h) To print and publish any publication, newspaper, periodicals, books or leaflets for the promotion or advancement of the objectives of the Institute.


1.) A member shall endeavour to promote the art and science of the profession throughout his work to the best of his ability.
2.) It is usual for members of the Institute to encounter circumstances or situations in which values, principles, rules and interests appear to conflict and which may be difficult to harmonize in practice. The discharge of a member's duties in such circumstances or situations involves the acceptance and habitual exercise of ethical values, among which a high place should be accorded to integrity, honesty, loyalty and fairness.
3.) To observe this Code of Conduct is a condition of membership.

4.) The general powers and special powers of the Council are set out in Clause 23 of the Institute's By-Laws. Clause 23 deals with disciplinary procedures and the disqualification of members. The original Code of Conduct was approved by the Institute on 1 December 1994 and takes effect from 1 January 1995. This new revised code of Conduct was adopted by the Institute on 4 October 2007 with immediate effect.
5.) This Code of Conduct may be amended from time to time by the Institute.

6.) This Code together with any amendments made from time to time is automatically applicable to all Fellows, Members, Associates, Affiliates, Registered Students, Retired Members and Honorary Fellows of the Institute.

7.) Clause 23 of the By-Laws of the Institute provides, inter alia, that

If, after due inquiry has been conducted by the Inquiry Committee, the Inquiry Committee is of the opinion that a member has committed any disciplinary offence(s) as defined under Clause 23.1, and upon recommendation of the Inquiry Committee, the Council may make orders against the member as set out in Clause 23.5 including but not limited to removing the name of the member from the register of the Institute.

8.) Disciplinary procedures shall be in accordance with the provisions of Clause 23 of the By-Laws.
9.) By virtue of Clause 23.2.1, the Council shall appoint a Disciplinary Inquiry Panel and a Convener (and Deputy Convener) who shall, upon receipt of a complaint concerning disciplinary offence committed by a member, establish an Inquiry Committee for investigation and recommendations.
10.) The Inquiry Committee shall consist of 4 or 5 members of the Institute elected among the Disciplinary Inquiry Panel, as the Convener considers appropriate. The Convener may, as he considers necessary, appoint 1 lay person who is in his opinion not connected with the practice of housing management to be an additional member of the Inquiry Committee
11.) A member is required to attend before an Inquiry Committee when summoned. Failure to attend before an Inquiry Committee without reasonable excuse is a disciplinary offence.
12.) Under Clause 23.4, the Inquiry Committee shall not proceed to hear evidence of a complaint unless the member concerned is given 28 day's notice of the complaint and the date, time and place of the hearing. The member concerned may make representations or be represented by a barrister, a solicitor or any other member of the Institute at the hearing.

Professional conduct
13.) A member shall at all times conduct in a manner which upholds the reputation of the Institute.
14.) A member shall not conduct in any way which might bring the Institute and the profession into disrepute. A member shall not commit any misconduct or neglect in any professional respect.
15.) A member shall discharge his professional responsibilities with competence, dignity, integrity, fairness, courtesy and a sense of responsibility.
16.) A member shall not offer, give, solicit, receive or accept any bribe or advantage as to influence the performance of his professional duties. "Advantage" is defined in section 2 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap. 201) as:

(a) any gift, loan, fee, reward or commission consisting of money or of any valuable security or of other property or interest in property of any description;
(b) any office, employment or contract;
(c) any payment, release, discharge or liquidation of any loan, obligation or other liability, whether in whole or in part;
(d) any other service, or favour (other than entertainment), including protection from any penalty or disability incurred or apprehended or from any action or proceedings of a disciplinary civil or criminal nature, whether or not already instituted;
(e) the exercise or forbearance from the exercise of any right or any power or duty; and
(f) any offer, undertaking or promise, whether conditional or unconditional, or any advantage within the meaning of any of the preceding paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e).
17.) A member shall recognize the competence and interdependence of other disciplines related to the profession and act with them in the best interests of the community and the environment.
18.) A member has the responsibility of continuously updating and increasing his own knowledge and adding to the accumulation of knowledge underlying his profession.
19.) A member shall comply with the regulations on Continuing Professional Development issued by the Institute from time to time.
20.) A member shall report to the Institute for any breach of this Code of Conduct which has come to his knowledge.
21.) A member shall not advertise, misuse or abuse his connection with the Institute in order to further his business or personal interests.
22.) No member shall be connected with any occupation or business in any way which would, in the opinion of the Institute, prejudice his professional status or the reputation of the Institute.
23.) A member who makes public his personal views on any subject shall not claim or give the impression that they are representing the official views of the Institute, unless he has been expressly authorized to do so by the Council of the Institute.
24.) A member shall co-operate and assist the Institute in its inquiries into any breach of this Code. A member shall attend before the Inquiry Committee for investigation of any discipline offences when summoned.

Personal Conduct
25.) A member shall, at all times, whether in the course of his work or not, conduct himself with honesty, integrity and propriety to be expected of a member of the Institute.
26.) A member shall conduct his professional practice or business in strict accordance with the laws of Hong Kong and the laws of foreign countries where he has a business interest.
27.) A member shall uphold the right of equal opportunity and fair dealing.
28.) A member shall not discriminate against any individual or group on grounds of race, colour, creed, gender, religion, age or physical disability.
29.) A member shall not disclose to a third party any confidential or privileged information entrusted to him by his employers or clients.

Conduct towards Colleagues
30.) A member shall act responsibly, fairly and professionally with due care and due respect to the individuals concerned whenever he is required to offer any comments or criticism on his colleagues. However, it shall be a member's duty to report immediately any irregularities of a criminal nature in respect of his colleagues to his employer or the authority.
31.) A member shall support the interchange of information and experience with his colleagues.
32.) A member shall assist and support colleagues in their career development.

Conduct towards Employers and Clients
33.) A member shall offer complete loyalty to his employer or clients in all business matters, and must act with fairness between his employer or clients and any other party concerned.
34.) A member shall inform his employer and clients, within reasonable time, of any conflict between his personal or financial interests and the faithful service to his employer or clients.
35.) A member shall not offer, give, receive or accept any gift, payment, or other forms of advantage to or from those having business or contractual relationships with his employer or clients without the prior consent of his employer. ("Advantage" is defined in section 2 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (Cap.201) and in paragraph 14 hereof.)
36.) A member shall not misuse or abuse his power or position for his personal interest.
37.) A member shall honour the special trust reposed by his employer, colleagues and clients.

Conduct towards the Community
38.) A member shall, in the discharge of his duties, seek to protect the public's interests, especially where these relate to occupational health, public safety, community welfare and the protection of the environment.
39.) A member shall seek to extend public understanding of the housing profession.
40.) A member is encouraged to participate in community and civic affair, as well as to contribute to charities.