Another owner of Redhill Peninsula convicted and fined for carrying out unauthorised building works
Another owner of a detached house on Redhill Peninsula was convicted by the court for carrying out unauthorised building works (UBWs) in contravention of section 14(1) of the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) (BO), namely, knowingly undertaking building works without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD). The owner pleaded guilty at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts yesterday (September 4) and was fined $150,000 in total.
The BD conducted a large-scale operation in September 2023 to inspect houses along the coastal area of Redhill Peninsula. UBWs were found in a number of detached houses, including the aforementioned house. Investigation by the BD found that the owner of the house had knowingly carried out the UBWs without the prior approval and consent from the BD, including adding structures to the garden, courtyard, living room and bedroom floors, and the rooftop, as well as erecting a trellis and a swimming pool, thus contravening section 14(1) of the BO. Hence, the BD instigated prosecution action against the owner under section 40(1AA) of the BO in August last year.
"The BD has already instigated prosecution actions against 30 detached houses on Redhill Peninsula. This is the twelfth conviction for the UBWs in the same estate, contravening section 14(1) of the BO. Court hearings for the remaining cases are being rolled out." a BD spokesman said today (September 5).
The spokesman said that property owners should consult building professionals before carrying out building works to ensure compliance with the BO.
Pursuant to section 40(1AA) of the BO, any person who knowingly contravenes section 14(1) (i.e. commencement or carrying out any building works without having first obtained approval and consent from the BD), commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $400,000 and imprisonment for two years, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.
The Government will submit a bill to the Legislative Council to amend the BO in the first half of 2026, which will include increasing penalties for offences against serious UBWs to enhance deterrence.
Source: AI-found images
