​Two owners were convicted and fined $165,000 in total at the Magistrates' Courts yesterday (August 26) for failing to comply with removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).  

     The first case involved an unauthorised structure of about 44 square metres on the rooftop of a composite building on Kwong Wa Street, Yau Ma Tei. As the unauthorised building works (UBW) was 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 was prosecuted by the BD and was fined $99,650 in total, of which $89,650 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts.

     The second case involved an unauthorised structure of about 43 sq m on the rooftop of a composite building on Lei Muk Road, Kwai Chung. 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 twice and was fined upon conviction by the court. As the owner persisted in not complying with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted for the third time and was fined $65,350 in total, of which $55,350 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, upon conviction at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts.

     A spokesman for the BD said today (August 27), "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, so as 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, August 27, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:00

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