An owner was convicted and fined $51,980 in total, of which $41,980 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts yesterday (October 8) for failing to comply with removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123). 
      
     The case involved two unauthorised structures with a total area of about 32 square metres on the roof of a composite building on Castle Peak Road, Sham Shui Po. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without the prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), two removal orders were served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failure to comply with the removal orders, the owner was prosecuted by the BD.
      
     A spokesman for the BD said today (October 9), "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 fail to comply with removal orders, including the instigation of prosecutions, to ensure building and public safety."
      
     Failure to comply with a removal order without a reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of up to $200,000 and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

Ends/Thursday, October 9, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:00

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