The days could be numbered for Phnom Penh’s notoriously haphazard house identifying system, as some district officials are set to re-define property digits after a city hall statement.

In a request issued late last week and signed by the governor of City Hall, the government has asked that house numbers are displayed and houses painted to better manage property statistics and beautify the capital.

“The Phnom Penh municipal hall hopes and believes that the people will cooperate with the city hall by putting [up] the number plates,” a statement read.

District officials indicated yesterday the order could serve to quell the confusion seen on many of the city’s streets, where repeated numbers are common.

Yesterday, Cheng Monyra, deputy governor for Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district, said that the numbering was made difficult as many houses on the same streets already had the same numerical designation.

Officials are now collecting statistics on local property, he said, and will distribute new numbers to households.

“We will give the numbers for them,” he said, adding that the process would take time. But once numbering was in place it would help potentially lost visitors.

“To put number plates in front of the houses is very easy for people. Also it will help their relatives find them. And It will also be easier for the authorities to manage [property].” said Cheng Monyra.

Hou Soktheary, a resident in Phnom Penh’s Russey Keo district, said yesterday that her house did not have a number displayed outside it as “it was not necessary”.

However, she welcomed the announcement saying it would help provincial visitors find homes and would put up a number if she was told to by the authorities.