IO asked to reimburse owner the cost of replacing an unauthorised structure that it had removed

In Lee Din Chun v Beverly Heights (IO) ([2013] HKEC 924, LT) L owned a parking space at the property. There was a canopy above the parking space. This was an unauthorised structure. The incorporated owners had it removed because it was impeding the progress of works on the sewers and drains beneath the parking space. L replaced the old canopy with a new canopy. The erection of the new canopy amounted to a breach of the DMC. Further, the Building Authority issued a notice requiring the demolition of the new canopy as it was in breach of the Buildings Ordinance. Nevertheless, L now sought compensation from the IO for the cost of erecting the new canopy. L failed. There was no basis on which the IO could be liable for the cost of the new canopy. Further, it was unreasonable to require it to pay for the cost of erecting an unlawful structure; this might expose it to the risk of having committed a criminal offence.

Michael Lower

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Tags: DMC, incorporated owners, Michael Lower, unauthorised structures