A property owner was convicted and fined over $58,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts this month for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).

     The case involved an unauthorised roof-top structure, with an area of about 40 square metres on top of a domestic unit in a building at San Shing Avenue, Sheung Shui. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO.

     Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD and was fined $58,370 in total, of which $48,370 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts on December 17.

     A spokesman for the BD said today (December 27), "UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who have failed to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building safety."

     Failing to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

Ends/Friday, December 27, 2024
Issued at HKT 11:00

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