Neighbours headed for court over scaffolding
Two neighbours are heading for court after a woman claimed the construction of bamboo scaffolding on her balcony for renovation work on the flat above had left her psychologically damaged.
In a writ filed with the High Court, Ellen Liu Oi-ling, who lives on the first floor of a house in Pak Wai, Sai Kung, claimed she had been scared to go on to her balcony and had to keep the balcony doors 'constantly locked' since work started on the flat above earlier this month.
Her troubles began when she saw strangers on her balcony on May 3 when the renovation work began. She accuses her neighbour, Lai Che-kuen, who lives on the second floor, of being responsible for the work, which she said had caused her psychological damage and led her to lose the quiet enjoyment of her home.
'The trespassers took no serious heed [of] the plaintiff's demands and [remained on the plaintiff's balcony] until such time as they thought fit to leave ... notwithstanding the plaintiff's repeated complaints and demands,' the writ reads.
The incident left Liu fearful she would find more strangers on her balcony or in her flat, it says.
Liu said she complained to her neighbour after seeing the strangers, but the scaffolding, which had been erected without her consent, was only removed when her lawyer wrote to Lai.
The scaffolding was removed on May 6, but more scaffolding was erected 'right above' the balcony, the writ says.
Liu also filed a complaint with the Environmental Protection Department about the smell from the renovation work last Friday.
Liu claims she reported the incident to police, yet the trespassing continued, the writ says.
Liu is asking the court to grant an injunction restraining Lai and his renovation workers from trespassing and ordering an end to the nuisance. She is also claiming damages for the nuisance and the trespassing.
