Temporary Structure or Not?

It is illegal to building on government land without permission, i.e. lease, deed or licence. Length of occupancy does not equate to ownership and anyone claiming "ownership" may be fined and may have to pay for removal costs.


As those declaring ownership are not allowed to build on the land, they are not "allowed" to renovate.


You can the relevant ordinance on BLIS.


Cap: 28.

Title: Land (Misc Provision) Ordinance



Section: 6

Heading: Unlawful occupation of unleased land

Claire is quite right, but there is a huge gap between theory and practice. For example, go to the top of any high building in Sai Ying Pun and look down: you will see that almost every building over 40 years old has had illegal rooms or even entire floors built on top, complete with plumbing, electricity, etc. Now, the government can see all those as well as you and I can; but they do nothing about it. Indeed, they even collect rates on some illegal structures.



Unless your neighbours shop you (and the Chinese are very unlikely to, as there's no benefit to them - indeed, you might set a useful precedent for them) you are unlikely ever to be asked to remove/restore it. But assume that you will have bad luck.