Two property owners fined over $230,000 for not complying with removal orders
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The first case involved an unauthorised structure of about 22 square metres on the roof of a residential building on San Fung Avenue, Sheung Shui. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (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 had been prosecuted by the BD and was fined a total of $9,700 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 $155,700 in total, of which $95,700 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts.
The second case involved structures on the external wall and approved canopy, a metal gate obstructing the means of escape, and door openings formed in the staircase enclosure wall, at a composite building on Jordan Road, Yau Ma Tei. As the UBWs were carried out without prior approval and consent from the BD, and they obstructed the means of escape and means of access for firefighting 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 was served on the 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 a total of $27,000 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 $78,800 in total, of which $58,800 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 (June 24), "UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take stringent enforcement action and instigate prosecutions against owners again if they persist in not complying with removal orders 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, June 24, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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