The Buildings Department and the Lands Department have inspected a total of 34 houses at Redhill Peninsula in a joint operation as of noon today.

The two departments began the operation on September 22. It involves inspections of 85 houses along the seafront close to four houses at the site of an earlier landslide.

The joint operation is aimed at combating unauthorised building works (UBWs) and unlawful occupation of government land by houses on the seafront.

With regard to 10 houses included in the first phase of the operation, which commenced on September 22, six have been found after inspection to occupy government land unlawfully, and to have UBWs. The owners at the remaining four houses have contacted the Government to arrange inspections.

Of the 24 houses included in the next phase of the operation, which commenced on October 4, eight have been inspected and at least seven are suspected to have UBWs and to occupy government land unlawfully.

The owners of another 14 houses have contacted the Government to arrange inspections. As for the remaining two houses, the Government will apply for warrants and exercise its powers in accordance with the law to enable relevant departments to enter the houses for inspection and collection of evidence.

The joint operation will continue next week, when the two department will begin a third phase of inspections of suspected non-compliant houses.