The Hong Kong government promised to enhance the transparency and fairness in the sales of first-hand uncompleted and completed residential properties when the Residential Properties (First-hand Sales) Ordinance came into effect in 2013. The public welcomed the legislation, as it formally gave consumers legal protection. Property buyers do not have the financial resources to engage in lengthy and expensive legal fights against the big developers. They can only take whatever option the developers leave on the table when disputes arise. Therefore, it is disappointing to see that the Sales of First-hand Residential Properties Authority has remained uncharacteristically quiet over The Pavilia Farm saga , where New World Development is a co-developer . This is the first time that towers at private residential buildings in Hong Kong have to be taken down and rebuilt for safety concerns, and there is no reason the case should be taken lightly. Despite the developer’s massive PR campaign , the authority should investigate whether it was lawful for the builders to go ahead with the sales despite knowing there were concrete defects , which not only posed safety problems but will now also affect the completion date. Boris Chan, Chai Wan