Letters | Leniency for some illegal structures will send wrong message to Hong Kong homeowners

Readers say it is better to give owners time to rectify unauthorised works rather than accept these violations, and call for harsh punishment if removal orders are ignored

Reading Time:2 minutes

Damage from a landslide is seen at the Redhill Peninsula. Inspections of the houses there have uncovered many cases of Illegal structures or occupation of government land without permission. At least four owners have been slapped with removal orders. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 11:30am, 11 Nov 2023

Feel strongly about these letters, or any other aspects of the news? Share your views by emailing us your Letter to the Editor at letters@scmp.com or filling in this Google form. Submissions should not exceed 400 words, and must include your full name and address, plus a phone number for verification.

I was shocked to hear Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho say she intended to take a more tolerant approach to illegal structures in urban areas, even though she insisted that this would apply only to small-scale cases, and serious violations like the ones found at Redhill Peninsula would not be allowed.

Admittedly, illegal structures such as supporting frames for air-conditioning units and outdoor drying racks are common in Hong Kong and it would not be realistic to demand their removal immediately after an inspection.

Those with illegal structures at home would welcome more relaxed enforcement, but it is not the right time to introduce such a policy. Just months ago, Linn was warning against unauthorised building works. It sends a mixed message to the public to now say minor violations are acceptable.

Few homeowners would consider their alterations large-scale or serious. Moreover, this policy would be unfair to those who strictly follow the regulations.

Accepting minor violations would only give urban households an incentive to make illegal alterations. Given the higher population density in the city, this would create a bigger public safety issue than illegal structures in the New Territories.

There are many other ways to address the problem. For instance, the government could give people a grace period to rectify the problem before imposing a penalty.