Three property owners fined over $250,000 in total for not complying with removal orders
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The first case involved the erection of a lightwell structure, partial removal of a beam and opening formed on the floor at a composite building on Lock Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. 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 had been prosecuted by the BD and was fined upon conviction by the court. As the owner persisted in not complying with the removal orders, the owner was prosecuted for the second time, and was fined $139,950 in total, of which $89,950 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued upon conviction by the court.
The second case involved unauthorised structures on the flat roof of a composite building on Fu Yan Street, Kwun Tong. As the UBWs were 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 fined $59,900 in total, of which $9,900 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued.
The third case involved the erection of a floor slab on the cockloft, removal of a staircase to the cockloft and a door opening formed in the staircase enclosure wall at a composite building on Pitt Street, Yau Ma Tei. As the UBWs were carried out without prior approval and consent from the BD, and they affected the fire-resisting construction of the building, contravening 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 was prosecuted by the BD and was fined $51,150 in total, of which $41,150 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued.
A spokesman for the BD said today (July 31), "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/Friday, July 31, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:00
Issued at HKT 11:00
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