Buildings Department Relaunches Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses

2026-04-01 22:21 Last Updated At：22:38

Re-launch of Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses

Following the direction of earlier proposals, the Buildings Department (BD) announced today (April 1) the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works (UBWs) in New Territories Exempted Houses (NTEHs). The reporting period will last for one year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

"In view of the history and unique circumstances of the NTEHs (commonly known as village houses), the Government launched a one-off administrative reporting scheme in 2012 as a special arrangement. Under the scheme, owners could report to the BD about UBWs that were erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law. The reporting period ended in December 2012. The Development Bureau (DEVB) put forward proposals to amend the Buildings Ordinance in December 2024, which included rationalising the policy for handling UBWs. The DEVB also pointed out that in response to the views of villagers and Legislative Council members that the reporting period was too short, the Government prepared to re-launch the Reporting Scheme to allow owners who at that time did not report their UBWs to do so," a spokesman for the BD said.

Relevant stakeholders and Legislative Council members generally considered the above proposals practical and feasible, and they welcomed the proposals. The DEVB and the BD have also consulted Heung Yee Kuk on the relevant implementation arrangements.

The re-launched Reporting Scheme will maintain the original criteria, including:

(1) The types of UBWs that can be reported and their erection dates are the same as the original Reporting Scheme, meaning that only UBWs erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law and were not the First Round Targets (Note) are eligible. Examples include signboards projecting from the external walls of village houses; enclosed rooftop structures with a coverage of not more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area of the main building.

(2) Same as the original Reporting Scheme, owners are required to conduct safety inspections on the reported UBWs every five years.

"The BD will not require the immediate removal of the reported UBWs unless their structures become obviously dangerous. Regarding UBWs in village houses, the BD is prioritising the handling of First Round Targets. If any relevant UBWs remain not reported after the application deadline of March 31, 2027, the BD will, after dealing with the First Round Targets, take priority enforcement action against the non-reported UBWs. The BD will formulate enforcement strategy for the reported UBWs at a later stage in accordance with the risks and the actual situation," the spokesman added.

To enhance the efficiency of processing applications, reports must be submitted via the electronic platform on the BD's website by technically competent persons or registered professional engineers appointed by owners. In accordance with the user-pays principle, an administrative fee of $600 is payable for each application. Upon successful reports, owners must also pay the relevant administrative fee when conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years.

Details of the re-launched Reporting Scheme are available on the BD's website at https://www.bd.gov.hk/en/safety-inspection/ubw/UBW-in-new-territories-exempted-houses/index_relaunch_reporting_scheme.html; Villagers who wish to report can call 2626 1616 for enquiry. The BD will also use different channels such as distributing leaflets and posters to Rural Committees to enable villagers to know more about the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme.

Owners who had successfully participated in the Reporting Scheme in 2012 are not required to submit reports again. However, they must continue to comply with the requirements of the original Reporting Scheme, including conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years, submitting safety certificates and paying administrative fees to the BD.

Note: The First Round Targets refer to UBWs with higher potential risks and more serious nature, such as village houses of four storeys or more, and enclosed rooftop structures covering more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area.

Delegation Explores Beijing and Xiong'an for Insights on Northern Metropolis University Town Development

CS leads delegation of Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town to visit Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei

The delegation of the Working Group on Planning and Construction of the University Town under the Committee on Development of the Northern Metropolis, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, today (April 1) continued its visit. Representatives from the eight University Grants Committee-funded universities also joined the delegation today. They visited the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center and Xiong'an New Area in Hebei, which are listed as part of the "one core and two wings" national development strategy, to learn about practical experience in large-scale new area planning and construction, with a view to providing solid reference for the planning and construction of the Northern Metropolis University Town (NMUT).

In the morning, the delegation visited the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center, touring the planning exhibition hall, the Yunhe Business District, the Beijing Library and the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing. They learned about the overall planning and development of the Center, its experience in attracting and concentrating higher education resources, as well as promoting the integration of the industry, academic and research sectors. They also observed the canal-side development and conservation and the construction of major public cultural facilities there.

Mr Chan said that the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center has been developed into a world-class harmonious and liveable demonstration area through high-standard planning, green and smart development, and a model of integration between campus and city. He said he hopes to draw on its valuable experience in relieving city functions, sharing resources, and innovation ecosystems, thereby providing practical inspiration for the top-level design, smart campus development and sustainable growth of the NMUT.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited Xiong'an New Area in Hebei, touring the comprehensive service centre of Xiong'an's start-up area. They learned about its planning and construction, as well as its "one-stop" integrated services for relieving Beijing of functions that are not essential to its role as the nation's capital. Subsequently, the delegation visited the University Town of Fifth Cluster North Collaborative Innovation Exhibition Hall and the Beijing Forestry University Xiong'an Campus Smart Exhibition Hall and project construction site.

Mr Chan said that the first batch of Beijing universities' campuses in Xiong'an has entered a large-scale construction stage, achieving campus-city integration, deep integration of industry and education, and smart and green development, injecting strong innovative vitality into the new area. He added that the delegation learned about Xiong'an New Area's experience in fields such as higher education institution and industry linkage, infrastructure-led development, and sustainable planning. It will provide valuable insights for the high-quality planning and construction of the NMUT, helping it develop into a hub for international education, innovation, and technology.

Mr Chan, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and other members of the delegation returned to Beijing tonight and will continue their visit tomorrow (April 2).

Buildings Department Relaunches Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses

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Buildings Department Relaunches Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses

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