Hong Kong lawmakers are calling for tighter checks on proxies who represent flat owners at building management meetings. This is in response to government plans to amend laws after the deadly Tai Po fire that killed 168 people last year. The fire exposed problems in building maintenance and fears of bid-rigging in the sector. Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Mei-kuen said the government welcomes suggestions on the proposed changes. These include limits on how many proxies one person can hold. But lawmaker Chris Ip Ngo-tung warned this may not stop abuse. "The key point is not about the number [of proxies one can hold] but the authenticity of the proxy instruments," he said. Ip suggested using a third party to verify proxy documents and installing cameras during proxy submissions for traceability. Mak said this would depend on the resources of housing estates. Property management companies might act as the third party, though some owners distrust them. The government wants to limit a person to one proxy for buildings with up to 50 flats, and for bigger complexes, two percent of owners or 20, whichever is lower. Other proposals include publicly listing owners who gave endorsements and allowing inspection of proxy documents. Owners could also give voting instructions to proxies during major maintenance meetings. Lawmaker Kenneth Lau Ip-keung suggested only allowing lawyers, family, or neighbors on the same floor to act as proxies. Maggie Chan Man-ki called for proxy holders to declare conflicts of interest. The government aims to balance preventing proxy abuse with helping owners join building management. Proposed rules include higher voting thresholds for costly projects and conflict disclosures for contractors. Procedures would also ban last-minute agenda changes or meeting postponements by committee chairs. Authorities could step in if management committees fail, like appointing helpers to hold meetings when 10% of owners request it. Mak said these changes seek to fill gaps so authorities can ease conflicts between owners. She also noted repeated demands to reconvene meetings on similar issues may face new limits.