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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteFor suspected unauthorised building works in Hong Kong, contact the Buildings Department (BD) through its Electronic Reporting Form, hotline 2626 1616 (handled by 1823), 1823, or [email protected]. If there is an emergency requiring immediate action, call 999. Describe what you observed and where; BD determines whether the work is unauthorised and what action, if any, is appropriate.
A visible alteration is not automatically illegal, and a report is not proof of a breach. The practical first steps are to assess urgency, give BD a precise location and factual description, and use the separate New Territories Exempted House (NTEH) process only if the property and works fall within that scheme.
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Choose the right reporting route
First decide whether the situation presents an immediate danger. A suspected breach without an immediate threat can be reported through BD’s ordinary channels. The special New Territories Exempted House scheme is separate and applies only to eligible existing works in that property type.
| Situation | Route | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate danger requiring urgent action | Call 999 | Emergency referral to BD for immediate action, as directed on BD’s contact page. |
| Suspected works or conditions without immediate danger | BD Electronic Reporting Form; 2626 1616 (handled by 1823); 1823; or [email protected]. BD also lists fax and postal contact options. | General enquiries and reports concerning suspected UBWs. |
| Eligible existing works in a New Territories Exempted House | The separate NTEH reporting scheme and its designated form | Limited scheme for qualifying existing works, not a general reporting route for all properties. |
Use BD’s current contact page for the listed fax and postal details, and consult the live form for its current instructions. The general contact information reviewed does not establish every required form field or attachment.
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Emergency or ordinary report?
Call 999 if you believe there is an emergency requiring immediate action—for example, a condition that poses an immediate danger to life or property. Do not delay an emergency call while trying to identify the exact building-work rule, gather evidence, contact a neighbour, or complete an ordinary form. BD’s contact page identifies 999 as the route for referring an emergency case to the department for immediate action.
If the concern is about suspected unauthorised work but there is no immediate danger, use BD’s Electronic Reporting Form, call 2626 1616, call 1823, or email [email protected]. The hotline 2626 1616 is handled by 1823; 1823 is also listed as a contact channel in its own right. BD lists fax and postal options as well, so consult its current contact page if you prefer those methods.
The special NTEH route is not a substitute for either an emergency call or an ordinary report about a flat, shop, or other property outside the scheme. It concerns eligible existing unauthorised works in NTEHs, commonly called village houses, and has its own application terms. If the issue is an imminent danger, work currently under construction, or newly erected work, the scheme information says those matters continue to receive immediate enforcement attention; use the relevant urgent or general BD channels rather than treating the special scheme as a reason to wait.
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What to include in a report
Give the precise address or location, then describe the work or condition in neutral, observable terms: for example, where an alteration is taking place, what appears to have changed, or what safety concern you noticed. Separate what you personally observed from what you suspect. Do not state that an owner or neighbour has broken the law simply because a change looks unusual.
- Identify the building and the relevant flat, floor, exterior area, or other location as precisely as you can.
- Describe the visible work or condition and, if relevant, whether work is ongoing or when you noticed it.
- Explain any immediate safety concern without entering an unsafe area or attempting an inspection yourself.
- Follow the live electronic form’s current directions about information and attachments.
A useful report distinguishes direct observation from interpretation. For example, you can describe that a structure appears to have been added to a rooftop, or that a route to an exit staircase appears blocked. You can say why the condition concerns you, but avoid presenting an unverified conclusion—such as “the owner has committed an offence”—as established fact. BD, not the person reporting, assesses whether the work is unauthorised and what response is appropriate.
Be as specific as you reasonably can about the location within a building. A street address alone may not tell BD which flat, floor, rooftop, podium, yard, lane, or projecting structure you mean. Likewise, describe what you saw rather than relying on a general label such as “illegal construction.” If you know whether work is continuing or when you observed the condition, include that as context; do not guess at dates or technical details you cannot verify.
The information above is practical guidance, not a checklist of mandatory fields. The reviewed general contact page does not establish every item the online form requires or which attachments it accepts. Check the live form’s current instructions before submitting. Do not assume that photographs or a particular document are compulsory unless the current form says so, and do not put yourself at risk to obtain them.
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What not to do
Do not enter a neighbouring flat, climb onto a roof, approach a construction area, or remove a barrier to investigate. The safety guidance gives examples of hazards such as blocked exit access, removal of structural members, water seepage, and concrete spalling; these are reasons to report a concern, not invitations to conduct your own inspection. If there is immediate danger, call 999. Otherwise, describe what is visible from a safe place and let the relevant authority assess the matter.
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Do not confront a neighbour on the assumption that a suspected alteration is unlawful. The work may have an approval or follow the Minor Works Control System, and appearance alone may not settle the question. A neutral report can flag a concern without accusing someone or asserting facts you cannot know.
What counts as unauthorised building work?
BD defines unauthorised building works (UBWs) as additions or alterations carried out without prior BD approval or without following the simplified procedures under the Minor Works Control System. See BD’s UBW overview and information about the Minor Works Control System.
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Whether a particular alteration needs approval or qualifies under a simplified procedure is a legal and procedural question. Appearance alone may not settle it: an unfamiliar structure or renovation is not automatically unauthorised. Report a reasonable concern as a suspicion and let BD assess it.
The distinction matters because building work can be subject to different approval or procedural requirements. The definition refers both to prior approval from BD and to following the simplified procedures under the Minor Works Control System. It is therefore not enough to decide from a photograph or a passing view that work must be unlawful. A structure may look unusual while having been dealt with through the applicable process; conversely, a condition that looks ordinary may still raise a safety or compliance issue that needs assessment.
For a member of the public, the sensible question is not “Can I prove this is illegal?” but “Can I identify a specific work or condition that I reasonably think BD should assess?” State what you saw, where you saw it, and why it concerns you. Avoid deciding the legal status yourself. This keeps the report useful and avoids treating a neighbour, tenant, owner, or contractor as guilty before BD has assessed the facts.
Safety concerns worth reporting
BD’s guidance for subdivided flats gives examples of suspected irregularities that can raise safety concerns, including blocked access to an exit staircase, removal of structural members, water seepage, and concrete spalling. Its safety pamphlet advises tenants who discover such suspected irregularities to ask the owner to rectify them and report the situation to BD. If there is immediate danger, call 999 rather than investigating or entering an unsafe area.
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What BD may do—and what a report does not guarantee
BD’s enforcement guidance describes categories of works for which it issues statutory orders requiring removal. Its stated priorities include works that pose an obvious hazard or imminent danger to life or property; new UBWs, subject to stated statutory exceptions; exterior works such as rooftop, podium, yard, lane, and projecting structures; and interior works that present an obvious hazard or imminent danger, including some works associated with subdivided units.
These priorities indicate the kinds of work BD identifies for enforcement attention; they do not mean that every reported concern belongs in one of those categories or that the reporter can determine the outcome. In particular, the guidance refers to new UBWs subject to statutory exceptions, not every alteration that appears recent. For exterior structures it names examples including rooftop, podium, yard, lane, and projecting works. For interior works, the stated priority is focused on an obvious hazard or imminent danger, including some works associated with subdivided units.
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These are enforcement priorities, not a promise that a particular complaint will result in an inspection, removal order, or action by a specified date. A report also does not establish that a suspected work is unauthorised. BD assesses the information and determines the appropriate response.
There is no response-time guarantee or case-tracking process established in the official material reviewed for this article. A complainant should not infer from submitting a report that an inspection has been scheduled, that a formal order will follow, or that BD will provide an update by a particular date. The outcome depends on BD’s assessment and enforcement policy. If a condition becomes an emergency, use 999 rather than waiting for an ordinary report to be processed.
Consequences of failing to comply with an order
The penalties described by BD apply to owners who fail to comply with a statutory removal order—not simply to someone who is reported. BD’s owner guidance states a maximum penalty of one year’s imprisonment and a HK$200,000 fine, plus a further HK$20,000 daily fine for a continuing offence. BD may arrange demolition through a government contractor and bill the owner for costs, supervision charges, and a surcharge; the order may also be registered against the property.
These consequences belong in context. A person making a report does not impose a penalty, and the figures are not automatic consequences of a complaint or of a suspected work. They concern failure to comply with a statutory removal order. The owner guidance also describes possible government-arranged demolition, recovery of costs and charges, and registration of the order against the property. BD decides whether an order is applicable and what enforcement steps to take.
Special route for eligible village-house works: the NTEH scheme
New Territories Exempted Houses (NTEHs), commonly called village houses, have a distinct BD reporting scheme for eligible existing UBWs. Its current reporting window is 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. It is not the general complaint process for suspected work in other Hong Kong properties.
BD says imminent dangers, works under construction, and newly erected UBWs continue to receive immediate enforcement attention. The scheme excludes first-round targets identified for serious contravention and higher potential risk. BD will assess information and plan progressive enforcement for reported works; it also describes progressive enforcement against unreported works after the reporting period.
The scheme’s official page and BD0002 electronic reporting form set out the applicable requirements. The form states an application fee of HK$600 and says submissions without payment will not be processed. It is directed to a qualified person eligible to handle reporting. Owners of works already reported in 2012 are instructed not to resubmit, but to follow the applicable five-year safety inspection requirement. Check the current page and form carefully before proceeding; the scheme’s eligibility and requirements are specific.
How to understand the NTEH process
This one-year window is a special arrangement for eligible existing works in NTEHs, not a general amnesty and not a route for every suspected UBW. The stated dates are 1 April 2026 through 31 March 2027. The scheme information distinguishes eligible existing works from matters that continue to receive immediate attention: imminent dangers, work under construction, and newly erected UBWs. It also excludes first-round targets identified for serious contravention and higher potential risk.
BD says it will assess submitted information and plan progressive enforcement for reported works. Its scheme information also describes progressive enforcement against unreported works after the reporting period. This does not establish that filing a report legalises the work, guarantees acceptance, or prevents enforcement. The form is directed to a qualified person eligible to handle reporting, so an owner should confirm eligibility and the current requirements rather than assuming that any person can complete it for any structure.
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The BD0002 form states an application fee of HK$600 and says submissions without payment will not be processed. That figure applies to this scheme form; it is not a stated fee for an ordinary general report about suspected UBWs. Owners of works already reported in 2012 are instructed not to submit again, but to follow the applicable five-year safety inspection requirement. Because the eligibility rules and reporting requirements are specific, use the current scheme page and form, not a summary article, as the final checklist.
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If you are considering buying a property
If you are concerned about possible UBWs inside a flat, BD advises consulting a building professional if in doubt. A buyer may also apply to view or copy approved building plans and occupation permits, subject to fees. Those records and professional advice can help with due diligence, but they do not replace reporting an urgent safety concern to the appropriate authority.
Plans and occupation permits can help a buyer compare the approved building record with what is present, while a building professional can assist with technical questions about the property. BD’s guidance does not make professional advice a prerequisite to reporting a general concern, nor does it say that a private assessment decides whether BD will enforce. If you are considering this due-diligence route, check BD’s current process and applicable fees for viewing or copying records; the reviewed guidance confirms that fees may apply but does not specify their amount here.
If you own a property with suspected or known UBWs
BD encourages owners to arrange removal of existing UBWs and says owners should comply with removal orders. A building professional can help assess technical questions or advise on a property’s condition. That consultation is not a prerequisite for making a general report, and a professional’s assessment does not determine BD’s enforcement decision.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteIf you own a property and are unsure whether work is authorised, the official guidance points to the importance of dealing with existing UBWs and complying with any removal order. A qualified building professional may help you understand technical issues, but that advice is distinct from BD’s enforcement decision. The source material does not identify a particular consultant, promise a price, or endorse a paid service. Treat professional advice as a way to investigate technical questions, not as a substitute for an official report where one is warranted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I report suspected unauthorised building works in Hong Kong?
For a non-emergency, use BD’s Electronic Reporting Form, call 2626 1616 (handled by 1823), call 1823, or email [email protected]. BD also lists fax and postal contact options on its contact page. Give the precise location and describe what you observed in factual, neutral terms. Call 999 if the situation is an emergency requiring immediate action.
Who do I call to report illegal construction?
For a suspected issue that is not an emergency, contact the Buildings Department through its reporting form, 2626 1616, 1823, or [email protected]. The hotline 2626 1616 is handled by 1823. Call 999 for an emergency requiring immediate action. Describe the concern as suspected work rather than declaring that a person has broken the law; BD assesses whether it is unauthorised.
Can I report building works anonymously?
The official information reviewed confirms BD’s reporting channels but does not establish whether a general report can be anonymous. Do not assume anonymity. Check directly with BD if this is important to you, and follow the current form’s instructions.
What should I do if my neighbour may have unauthorised building works?
A neighbour’s alteration is not automatically unauthorised just because it looks unusual. If you have a specific concern, report what you observed, where it is, and any safety issue through BD’s ordinary channels. Do not enter the property or conduct an unsafe inspection. If there is immediate danger, call 999.
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What details should I give BD?
Identify the building and the relevant flat, floor, rooftop, podium, yard, lane, or other area as precisely as you can. Describe the visible work or condition and explain any safety concern without speculation. Check the live Electronic Reporting Form for its current instructions; the reviewed general contact information does not establish every required field or attachment.
Does every report lead to an inspection or removal order?
No such guarantee is established in the official guidance reviewed. BD assesses the information and determines whether to investigate or take enforcement action. Its priorities include certain hazardous or imminent-danger works, new UBWs subject to statutory exceptions, specified exterior works, and some hazardous interior works, but those policies do not guarantee a particular outcome or timeline.
What counts as an unauthorised building work?
BD describes UBWs as additions or alterations carried out without prior BD approval or without following the simplified procedures under the Minor Works Control System. Appearance alone may not settle whether work is unauthorised, so report a reasonable concern and let BD assess it.
Does it cost money to make a general report?
The reviewed information does not specify a fee for a general report, so do not assume a charge or promise that one never applies. The separate NTEH scheme form states a HK$600 application fee and says submissions without payment will not be processed; that is not the stated fee for an ordinary general complaint.
What is the NTEH reporting scheme, and does it apply to my property?
It is a separate scheme for eligible existing UBWs in New Territories Exempted Houses, commonly called village houses, with a reporting window from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. It is not the general route for other property types. The scheme has specific eligibility and form requirements, so consult BD’s current scheme page and BD0002 form.
What if the suspected work is dangerous or currently being built?
Call 999 when the condition is an emergency requiring immediate action. BD’s NTEH scheme information also says imminent dangers, works under construction, and newly erected UBWs continue to receive immediate enforcement attention. Do not wait for a special scheme submission if urgent action is needed.
What can happen if an owner ignores a statutory removal order?
BD’s owner guidance states that failure to comply may carry a maximum penalty of one year’s imprisonment and a HK$200,000 fine, plus a further HK$20,000 daily fine for a continuing offence. BD may arrange demolition and bill costs, supervision charges, and a surcharge; the order may be registered against the property. These consequences relate to non-compliance with an order, not simply being reported.
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Should a property buyer hire a building professional?
BD advises prospective buyers concerned about UBWs inside a flat to consult a building professional if in doubt. A buyer may also apply to view or copy approved building plans and occupation permits, subject to fees. Professional advice can help with technical due diligence, but is not a prerequisite to submit a general report and does not replace an emergency call.
The Bottom Line
For a suspected UBW without immediate danger, report the location and observable facts to BD by its Electronic Reporting Form, 2626 1616, 1823, or [email protected]. Call 999 for an emergency requiring immediate action. Do not assume that an unusual-looking alteration is unlawful, that a report guarantees enforcement, or that it will be anonymous. The NTEH scheme is a separate, limited route for eligible existing village-house works; check BD’s current page and form for its dates, eligibility, and HK$600 application fee.
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