Section B: Estate Management and Rent Policy Chapter 13: Approved Decoration Contractor System The Approved Decoration Contractor (ADC) System aims at protecting public rental housing (PRH) tenants' interests by preventing infiltration of illegal elements so that decoration works in new estates can be carried out in an orderly manner. The Housing Department has established a set of eligibility criteria for registration of ADCs on the approved list. Before registration, all qualified decoration contractors will be checked by the Police to confirm that they have not been involved in triad activities. Licences will be granted to ADCs for undertaking decoration works for PRH tenants. With a view to providing sufficient ADCs for carrying out decoration services in new estates, the ratio of 1 contractor to every 250 households is adopted. The sequence of appointment of ADCs is decided by ballot and, when the list is about to be exhausted, a second ballot will be conducted. PRH tenants who wish to decorate their units are free to opt for self-decoration by themselves/their friends and relatives or appoint any of the ADCs selected by the Department for that estate. Negotiation of decoration prices is a matter between tenants and contractors. Terms and Conditions for Decoration Works are printed at the back of each works order which will be signed by both parties once a tenant agrees to place his/her order. Upon completion of the decoration works, the Department will collect tenants' views and assess the contractors' performance under a point system. Estate staff will handle complaints against ADCs to facilitate prompt follow-up actions. Furthermore, estate staff will maintain close contact with local Police Stations during intake of new estates and will request more police patrols in these estates in a bid to curb crime and triad activities. The ADC System is under review.  A Trial Scheme of using Recommended Decoration Contractor (RDC) System instead of ADC System is being implemented for all new estates completed in or after December 2004.  The RDC System is subject to review in early 2009. The operation of ADC System and RDC System is similar, except under the RDC System, PRH tenants are allowed to appoint any of the contractors recommended by the Department, patronize other contractors in the open market, or to carry out the decoration works by themselves.

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