The Buildings Department (BD) today announced the relaunch of the Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works (UBWs) in New Territories Exempted Houses (NTEHs), and the reporting period will last for one year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

The BD said it will not require the immediate removal of the reported UBWs unless their structures become obviously dangerous.

It noted that the Development Bureau (DEVB) put forward proposals to amend the Buildings Ordinance in December 2024, which included rationalising the policy for handling UBWs.

The DEVB also pointed out that the Government prepared to relaunch the reporting scheme to allow owners of NTEHs, or village houses, who did not report their UBWs in the 2012 administrative reporting scheme to do so.

The relaunched reporting scheme will maintain the original criteria adopted for the original scheme regarding the types of UBWs that can be reported and their erection dates.

This means that only UBWs erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law, and were not the First Round Targets are eligible.

Examples include signboards projecting from the external walls of village houses; enclosed rooftop structures with a coverage of not more than 50% of the roofed-over area of the main building.

In addition, owners are required to conduct safety inspections on the reported UBWs every five years.     

Reports must be submitted via the electronic platform on the BD’s website by technically competent persons or registered professional engineers appointed by owners. A $600 administrative fee is payable for each application.

Upon successful reports, owners must also pay the relevant administrative fee when conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years.

Villagers who wish to report can call 2626 1616 for enquiry. The BD will distribute leaflets and posters to Rural Committees, and make use of other channels, to let villagers know more about the relaunch of the reporting scheme.

Owners who had successfully participated in the 2012 reporting scheme are not required to submit reports again. However, they must continue to comply with the requirements of the original scheme, including conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years, submitting safety certificates and paying administrative fees to the BD.

Regarding UBWs in village houses, the BD is prioritising the handling of First Round Targets.

After dealing with such targets, the BD will take priority enforcement action against the relevant UBWs that remain unreported after the application deadline.

It will formulate an enforcement strategy for the reported UBWs at a later stage in accordance with the risks and the actual situation.