​An owner was convicted and fined $98,315 in total, of which $90,315 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts yesterday (October 22) for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123). 
      
     The case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 40 square metres on the flat roof of a composite building at Argyle Street, Mong Kok. 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. Failure to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD.
      
     A spokesman for the BD said today (October 23), "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/Thursday, October 23, 2025
Issued at HKT 11:00

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