Five Hong Kong property owners fined over HK$320,000 for ignoring demolition orders
Hong Kong's Buildings Department has secured fines totalling more than HK$320,000 against five owners who failed to comply with demolition orders for unauthorised structures. The cases, heard in Sha Tin and West Kowloon courts, involved illegal retaining walls, rooftop additions and unauthorised alt
Five property owners in Hong Kong have been fined a combined total of more than HK$320,000 for failing to comply with demolition orders issued by the Buildings Department, the government announced on 12 November 2026. The cases were heard in Sha Tin Magistrates' Court and West Kowloon Magistrates' Court.
In the first case, the owner of a detached house on Sha Tin岭 Road was fined HK$109,920 for an unauthorised retaining wall and backfilling works. The fine included HK$99,920 in daily penalties for the period during which the offence continued.
The second case involved a village house in Sha Tin Lot 183, where the owner had built an unauthorised structure on the rooftop. The owner, who had already been convicted and fined previously for the same offence, was again prosecuted and fined a total of HK$97,480, including HK$62,480 in daily penalties.
In the third case, the owner of a commercial-residential building on Sha Tin Tsuen Nam Road was fined HK$65,770, of which HK$42,770 was for daily penalties, after failing to remove unauthorised structures in the courtyard and on the mezzanine platform. The owner had previously been convicted and fined but had not complied with the order.
The fourth case involved two co-owners of a unit in a commercial-residential building on Castle Peak Road, Tsing Lung Tau, Tsuen Wan. The unauthorised works included removing fixed windows in the living room and master bedroom and adding railings on a planter box. The co-owners were fined a total of HK$50,000 in West Kowloon Magistrates' Court.
A Buildings Department spokesman said: 'Unauthorised structures can lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with demolition orders as soon as possible. For owners who fail to comply, the Buildings Department will continue to take stringent enforcement action, including prosecution, to safeguard building and public safety.'
Under the Buildings Ordinance, failure to comply with a demolition order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence, carrying a maximum fine of HK$200,000 and one year's imprisonment, plus a daily penalty of up to HK$20,000.