Design director and construction contractor fined for removing load-bearing wall
發佈日期: 2025-06-24 22:45
TVB News
A designer and a contractor were fined 60,000 and 200,000 dollars respectively for the illegal removal of a load-bearing wall in a LOHAS Park residential unit two years ago.
But the flat's owner pleaded not guilty, and will return to court for another hearing.
The unit in question is located in tower six of The Capitol in LOHAS Park.
After renovation work was completed two years ago, footage uploaded to a property listing platform revealed the illegal modification and removal of a load-bearing wall in the unit.
The unit's owner, interior designer and construction contractor were each charged with two counts of criminal offences, and appeared at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts.
The case involved flat owner Ku Chun-ho, who submitted an application for renovation on the 1st of November, 2022.
The Buildings Department later found parts of a 200-millimetre thick load-bearing wall in the unit removed at the start of March the next year, creating a 2x1-metre hole.
Two other load-bearing walls in the kitchen and bedroom were also removed.
Such designs did not receive the approval of the Buildings Department.
Authorities said the holes in the wall could lower the structure's load-bearing capabilities, which could potentially result in a partial collapse of the building.
The project's design director pleaded guilty to one count of "engaging in construction works without prior approval or consent from the Buildings Department," while the prosecution dropped the other charge.
The construction contractor, meanwhile, pleaded guilty to two charges.
In mitigation, they said they already made reinforcements at the site, adding that the contractor paid 4 million dollars on its own for repair works.
The design director and construction contractor were fined 60,000 and 200,000 dollars respectively.
