Property owner fined about $70,000 for not complying with removal order
A property owner was convicted and fined $67,600 at the Fanling Magistrates' Court last month (December) for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (Cap 123) (BO).
The order mainly involved an unauthorised rooftop structure in an industrial building at Yip Fung Street, Fanling. The structure, used for storage, is about 100 square metres in size.
As the above unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval from the Buildings Department (BD), contravening the BO, a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO.
Failing to comply with the order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD, and was convicted and fined on December 24, 2019.
"UBWs may adversely affect the structure and fire safety of a building, leading to serious consequences. Owners should seek professional advice before carrying out any building works in their premises," a spokesman for the BD said today (January 5).
Pursuant to section 40(1BA) of the BO, any person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with an order served on him under section 24(1) of the BO commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for one year, as well as a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence has continued.
Ends/Sunday, January 5, 2020