Property owner of mini-storage unit fined nearly $60,000 for not complying with removal and repair order

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An owner of a mini-storage unit was convicted and fined $59,960 in total, of which $23,960 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts yesterday (October 23) for failing to comply with a removal order and a repair order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).

The case involved an alteration of a mini-storage unit in an industrial building at Lee Chung Street and Cheung Lee Street, Chai Wan. As the alteration and addition works were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), and the works obstructed the means of escape and means of access for fire fighting and rescue as well as affecting the fire resisting construction of the building, contravening the Building (Planning) Regulations and the Building (Construction) Regulation, a removal order and a repair order were served on the owner under section 24(1) and section 26 of the BO respectively. Failing to comply with the statutory orders, the owner was prosecuted by the BD.

A spokesman for the BD said today (October 24), "Unauthorised alteration works causing obstruction to the means of escape and means of access for fire fighting and rescue, or affecting the fire resisting construction of a building may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders and repair orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who fail to comply with removal orders and repair 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. Moreover, failure to comply with a repair order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of level 5 ($50,000 at present) and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $5,000 for each day that the offence continues.

Ends/Friday, October 24, 2025
Issued at HKT 14:30

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