Hong Kong auditor finds over 26,600 window inspection notices ignored
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.
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According to the commission's investigation report, released on Wednesday, concerning 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 were not 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.
'The director should refer warranted unpaid fixed-penalty notices to the court.'
Hong Kong authorities have recorded 445 incidents of windows falling from buildings between January 2017 and December 2024.
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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 repair for their property's windows within nine months.
If owners fail to comply with the notices within the stipulated time, the department will issue a warning letter within one month. If the owners still do not rectify the situation and lack a reasonable explanation, they will be served with a fixed penalty ticket of HK$1,500.
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