Hong Kong auditor finds over 26,600 window inspection notices ignored
Authorities recorded 445 incidents of windows falling from buildings between January 2017 and December 2024
Over 26,600 notices issued by building authorities to homeowners for window inspection have not been addressed, of which 43 per cent have exceeded the compliance deadline by an average of 6.5 years, Hong Kong’s Audit Commission has found.
According to the commission’s investigation report on the Buildings Department’s mandatory window inspection scheme, almost half of the 4,208 penalty tickets issued for failing to comply with the statutory notices were also unpaid and had not been referred to the court for settlement.
“The Director of Buildings should issue warning letters and fixed-penalty notices for non-compliant mandatory window inspection scheme statutory notices in a timely manner,” the commission said in the report released on Wednesday.
“The director should refer warranted unpaid fixed-penalty notices to the court.”
Authorities have recorded 445 incidents of windows falling from buildings between January 2017 and December 2024.
Implemented in June 2012, the inspection scheme requires owners of buildings aged 10 years or older who have received statutory notices to appoint qualified professionals to inspect and conduct necessary repairs for their property’s windows within nine months.