************************************************************
In response to media reports and enquiries, a spokesman for the Buildings Department (BD) announced today (August 21) that staff of the department have inspected the flats at Flat A4, 4/F, Hoi Hing Building, Tai Kok Tsui, and 4/F, No. 136 Shanghai Street, Yau Ma Tei. Unauthorised building works (UBWs) were identified in these premises. The BD has issued removal orders to the owners of the two flats in accordance with the Buildings Ordinance and the prevailing enforcement policy against UBWs. The owners are required to rectify the irregularities in their premises within 60 days.
The situation at Flat A4, 4/F, Hoi Hing Building:
The flat at the above address was sub-divided into several rooms, each provided with a toilet and a kitchen. The building works involved in such sub-division did not obstruct or affect the means of escape, nor did such works exhibit any obvious drainage defects. But as one of the rooms was situated on the cantilevered slab balcony, the partitions sub-dividing the room and the thickening of the floor slab in the room have caused overloading of the cantilevered slab. According to the prevailing enforcement policy against UBWs, UBWs causing overloading of the building are actionable items subject to priority enforcement action. The BD, in accordance with the established procedures, issued a removal order to the owner concerned, requiring them to rectify the irregularities within 60 days.
The situation of 4/F, No. 136 Shanghai Street:
The flat at the above address was sub-divided into several rooms with a common toilet and a common kitchen. The building works involved in such sub-division did not adversely affect the structural safety of the building, nor did such works exhibit any obvious drainage defects, but they obstructed the means of escape of the building. According to the prevailing enforcement policy against UBWs, UBWs obstructing means of escape are actionable items subject to priority enforcement action. The BD, in accordance with the established procedures, issued removal orders to the owners concerned, requiring them to rectify the irregularities within 60 days.
Ends/Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:18
NNNN
