Owners' corporation fined over $90,000 for not complying with removal order
An owners' corporation (OC) was convicted and fined over $90,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts earlier for failing to comply with a removal order under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).
The order involved a number of unauthorised building works (UBWs) within the common areas of a composite building at Lee Garden Road, Causeway Bay, including projecting structures attached to the external walls, fire resisting doors with locking devices, metal gates and a structure erected within the exit staircases. As the UBWs were erected without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the OC under section 24(1) of the BO.
Failing to comply with the removal order, the OC was prosecuted by the BD and fined $96,000 upon conviction at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts on December 15.
A spokesman for the BD said today (December 22), "UBWs may adversely affect the structural and fire safety of a building, leading to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take enforcement action against owners who have failed to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, so as to ensure building safety".
Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is one year's imprisonment and a fine of $200,000, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.
Ends/Thursday, December 22, 2022