Property owner fined over $130,000 for not complying with removal orders

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     An owner was convicted and fined $131,540 in total, of which $123,120 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (January 14) for failing to comply with removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).

     The case involved unauthorised structures on the flat roofs of two premises, of about 125 square metres and 60 sq m respectively, in a residential building on Tsuen Lok Street, Tsuen Wan; and the removal of a fire-resisting door. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), two removal orders were served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal orders, the owner was prosecuted by the BD.

     A spokesman for the BD said today (January 15), "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, January 15, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:00

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