​Two co-owners were convicted and fined $136,800 in total, of which $76,800 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts last Friday (October 17) for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap 123).  

     The case involved a four-storey unauthorised structure with an area of about 100 square metres on two lots in D.D.115, Yuen Long. Since the Lands Department would not issue a certificate of exemption for the unauthorised building works (UBWs) and the UBWs were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the co-owners under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, they were prosecuted by the BD.

     A spokesman for the BD said today (October 20), "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 instigation of prosecution, to ensure building and public safety."

     Failure 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 up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

Ends/Monday, October 20, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:00

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