The Buildings Department proposes to introduce a new control system for relatively small and simple building works to be carried out by Registered Minor Works Contractors.

Such contractors can carry out works on their own or under the supervision of an authorised person or a registered structural engineer (if required), without having to submit building plans for approval by buildings officials.

Director of Buildings Marco Wu said the purpose of it is to rationalise the building control regime and bring about a better living environment.

"The simplified minor works procedures will result in time and cost savings for building owners and the industry alike which ensures safety," he said.

Minor works include internal staircases, small light-weight canopies and most signboards.

"Building authorities will specify the different types of minor works and revise these specifications should the need arise," Mr Wu added.

The department will conduct audit checks on minor works to ensure they comply with the technical standards of the Buildings Ordinance.

To facilitate enforcement of the laws against unauthorised buildings works, the bill also seeks to clearly identify the person responsible for the removal of unauthorised building works and to empower building officials to issue a warning notice on such works and to register the notice in the Land Registry.

"Apart from encouraging owners to remove unauthorised building works voluntarily, this will have the added advantage of providing a measure of consumer protection to prospective property buyers who will become aware of the existence of unauthorised building works in the premises through a land search at the Land Registry," he said.

To enable owners' corporations to comply with statutory orders more easily, the bill also contains amendments that provide for the prosecution of owners who hinder owners' corporations from carrying out orders served by building authorities.

Details of the proposals are contained in the Buildings (Amendment) Bill 2003 gazetted last Thursday. The bill will be tabled in the Legislative Council next Wednesday.