​Two co-owners were convicted and fined $66,200 in total, of which $50,200 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts yesterday (March 31) 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 29 square metres on the roof of a village house on a lot at D.D. 242, Sai Kung. 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 (April 1), "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/Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:00

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