​Two owners were convicted and fined $154,140 in total at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (September 9) for failing to comply with removal orders issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).  

     The first case involved the erection of fence walls and several unauthorised structures with a total area of about 260 square metres on the roof of an industrial building on Kwai Sau Road, Kwai Chung. 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 was prosecuted by the BD and was fined $89,140 in total, of which $49,140 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued.

     The second case involved an unauthorised structure of about 114 sq m on the flat roof of a composite building on Tai Loong Street, 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 had been prosecuted by the BD four times and was fined upon convictions by the court. As the owner persisted in not complying with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted for the fifth time and was fined $65,000 upon conviction by the court.

     A spokesman for the BD said today (September 10), "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/Thursday, September 10, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:00

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