Property owner of Redhill Peninsula, registered minor works contractor and its authorised signatory fined over $400,000 in total for carrying out unauthorised building works
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The RMWC and the AS were also convicted by the court on the same day for carrying out UBWs at another detached house on Redhill Peninsula and were fined $70,000 and $45,000 respectively. Legal proceedings against the owner of the other detached house concerned are still ongoing.
The BD conducted a large-scale operation in September 2023 to inspect houses along the coastal area of Redhill Peninsula. UBWs were found in a number of detached houses, including the aforementioned two houses. Investigations by the BD found that the owners of the two detached houses, the RMWC and its AS had knowingly carried out the UBWs without the prior approval and consent from the BD, including adding structures to the garden, living room, bedroom floors and the rooftop, thus contravening section 14(1) of the BO. Hence, the BD instigated prosecution action against the owners, the RMWC and its AS under section 40(1AA) and section 40(6) of the BO respectively in August and September last year.
"The BD has already instigated prosecution actions against 30 detached houses on Redhill Peninsula. So far, 18 cases have been convicted by the courts for contravening section 14(1) of the BO. Court hearings for the remaining cases are being rolled out," a BD spokesman said today (November 3).
The spokesman said that property owners should consult building professionals before carrying out building works to ensure compliance with the BO.
Pursuant to section 40(1AA) of the BO, any person who knowingly contravenes section 14(1) (i.e. commencement or carrying out any building works without having first obtained approval and consent from the BD) commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $400,000 and imprisonment for two years, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.
The Government will submit a bill to the Legislative Council to amend the BO in the first half of 2026, which will include increasing penalties for offences against serious UBWs to enhance deterrence.
Ends/Monday, November 3, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:00
Issued at HKT 18:00
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