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The following statement is issued on behalf of Mr D W Pescod in response to media enquiries on the building conditions of a property owned by him and his wife at Sai Kung:
Mr and Mrs Pescod bought the property concerned on their return from a posting in Belgium in 2008 as an investment and with a view to using the property as their retirement home in due course. The purchase was handled by their lawyers and the property was inspected for valuation purposes. No adverse reports were received and the bank concerned readily agreed to offer a mortgage on the property.
At the time of purchase, Mr and Mrs Pescod, just like any other property purchasers who have no professional training on building works, were not aware of any unauthorised building structures on the property. They have, of course, decorated the property and carried out necessary repairs as requested by the tenants but have certainly not installed any additional structures on the site.
Since the purchase, the property has been let out. Mr and Mrs Pescod have never lived there and have visited it only infrequently.
To ease public concern, Mr Pescod, with the agreement of the current tenant, has taken the initiative to appoint a building contractor to remove a glass canopy and an awning on the property. The removal work is expected to complete today. A thorough check will be conducted, and Mr Pescod will take any further follow-up action as necessary.
Ends/Monday, November 26, 2012
Issued at HKT 12:17
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