TNAG-1362-FCO40-1808-Hong-Kong-Hansard-reports-and-minutes-of-the-meetings-of-the-1985 — Page 15

Question No. 3

Speech by the Hon. CHAN Nai-keong, CBE, JP, Secretary for Lands and Works, to question by the Hon. S.L. CHEN, CBE, JP, at Legislative Council on 29 May, 1985

Question:

Will Government inform this Council what measures are taken to curb and prevent property transactions involving the sale of flats which have been illegally sub-divided and modified into smaller units to prevent innocent purchasers from being victimised?

Sir,

Several measures are being taken by the

Government to curb and prevent property transactions

involving the sale of flats which have been illegally sub-

divided or modified. First, the Building Authority on

discovering such unauthorised alterations would issue a

notice under Section 24 (1) of the Buildings Ordinance,

requiring the unauthorised structure to be demolished and the property to be restored to its former condition. A

notice of this kind is registered in the Land Office and thus

any intending purchaser would be put on notice of the matter if he makes a search of the property in the Land Office.

Secondly, modern lease conditions invariably include a provision for compliance with the Buildings Ordinance and an

unauthorised subdivision would amount to a breach of the

lease conditions and subject to re-entry enforcement action.

Thirdly, publicity is stepped up by the Government and the

Consumer Council to warn the general public of the risks of

buying flats which have been altered or erected in

contravention of the provisions of the Buildings Ordinance.

It is in the interest of every consumer to

make all appropriate enquiries before purchasing a flat, to

consult a solicitor or an Authorised Person, and in case of

doubt to make an enquiry with the Buildings Ordinance Office.

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