The Government is considering criminalising sub-divided flats in industrial buildings.
Speaking to the media today Secretary for Development Paul Chan said it is looking to strengthen enforcement actions.
Buildings Department officers have had difficulty instituting prosecutions in some industrial buildings because they could not gain entry due to uncooperative owners or tenants.
"We are considering delegating the authority of gaining entry into such premises to the Buildings Department staff of certain ranks so this can be enforced more speedily.
"We are also looking into the issue of making the directors of companies operating sub-divided flats responsible for those inappropriate or illegal acts."
Under the current legislation an offender is liable to a year's jail and a $200,000 fine.
"But for those who hide behind a corporate vehicle they may be able to get away from such criminal sanctions. What we are looking at is how to make these people personally liable for such activities," Mr Chan added.
