Housing body sues builders of faulty flats

The Housing Authority is suing the builders of flats in Tin Shui Wai that have flawed foundations.

The authority is claiming an unspecified amount of damages in three separate High Court writs from piling contractor B+B Construction, contract manager Hsin Yieh Architects & Associates, and sub-contractor Joseph Chow & Partners.

It is alleged B+B Construction breached a building contract made with the authority on or about March 7, 1997, while Hsin Yieh was in breach of a consultancy agreement made in about August 1996.

Joseph Chow & Partners is being sued for negligence and breach of statutory duty in connection with the foundation works of the buildings.

All three defendants were responsible for the construction of five blocks in the Home Ownership Scheme's Tin Chung Court, where defective piles were found in August.

The legal action follows a recommendation by an authority investigation panel, which concluded last week that the companies should be sued due to their alleged failure to build the flats properly.

A spokeswoman for the authority said: 'In accordance with the panel's recommendations, we are taking legal action against the firms for their failure to adequately implement the project.