​Six property owners and a signboard owner were convicted and fined $267,832 in total, of which $127,832 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, at the Magistrates' Courts on Tuesday (May 26) for failing to comply with removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).  

     The first case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 56 square metres on the roof of a village house on a lot at D.D. 28, Tai Po. Since the Lands Department would not issue a certificate of exemption for the unauthorised building work (UBW) and the UBW was carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the two co-owners under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, they were prosecuted by the BD and was fined $81,700 in total, of which $21,700 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts.

     The second case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 53 sq m on the roof of a residential building on Fu Hing Street, Sheung Shui. As the UBW was carried out without prior approval and consent from the BD, a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD and was fined $57,560 in total, of which $27,560 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts.

     The third case involved an unauthorised structure with an area of about 53 sq m on the roof and an opening formed in the staircase enclosure wall in another residential building on Fu Hing Street, Sheung Shui. As the UBWs were carried out without prior approval and consent from the BD, a removal order was served on the three co-owners under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, they were prosecuted by the BD and was fined $63,072 in total, of which $33,072 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts.

     The fourth case involved a signboard of about 12 sq m at the external wall of a composite building on Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. As the UBW was carried out without prior approval and consent from the BD, a removal order was served on the signboard owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner had been prosecuted by the BD and was fined $4,440 upon conviction by the court. As the owner persisted in not complying with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted for the second time and was fined $65,500 in total, of which $45,500 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts.

     A spokesman for the BD said today (May 29), "UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take stringent 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/Friday, May 29, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:05

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