Another owner of Redhill Peninsula founded guilty and fined for performing unauthorised structure works
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Another owner of a removed home on Redhill Peninsula was founded guilty by the court for performing unauthorised structure works (UBWs) in breach of area 14( 1) of the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) (BO), specifically, intentionally carrying out structure works without previous approval and permission from the Buildings Department (BD). The owner pleaded guilty at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts the other day (September 4) and was fined $150,000 in overall.
The BD carried out a massive operation in September 2023 to check homes along the seaside location of Redhill Peninsula. UBWs were discovered in a variety of separated homes, consisting of the abovementioned home. Examination by the BD discovered that the owner of your home had actually purposefully performed the UBWs without the previous approval and permission from the BD, consisting of including structures to the garden, yard, living space and bed room floorings, and the roof, in addition to setting up a trellis and a pool, therefore contravening area 14( 1) of the BO. The BD prompted prosecution action versus the owner under area 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 representative stated today (September 5).
The representative stated that homeowner ought to seek advice from structure specialists before performing constructing works to guarantee compliance with the BO.
Pursuant to area 40(1AA) of the BO, anyone who intentionally contravenes area 14( 1) (i.e. start or performing any structure works without having actually initially gotten approval and permission from the BD), devotes an offense and is responsible upon conviction to an optimum fine of $400,000 and jail time for 2 years, and an additional fine of as much as $20,000 for each day that the offense continues.
The Government will send a costs to the Legislative Council to modify the BO in the very first half of 2026, which will consist of increasing charges for offenses versus severe UBWs to improve deterrence.