Eversound Investments Ltd v. Tai Cheung Chuen and Others

LDCS 33000 / 2012

IN THE LANDS TRIBUNAL OF THE

HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION

LAND COMPULSORY SALE APPLICATION NO. 33000 OF 2012

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J U D G M E N T

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Background

1.This is an application for compulsory sale of all the undivided shares in Section J of Kowloon Marine Lot No. 52 ("the Lot"), known as Nos. 19 & 21 Wan King Street and Nos. 20 & 22 Wan Shun Street, ("the Building"), for the purposes of the redevelopment of the Lot pursuant to Section 3(1) of the Land (Compulsory Sale for Redevelopment) Ordinance, Cap. 545 ("the Ordinance").

2.There is erected on the Lot an 8 storey composite building served by 2 common staircases. Originally altogether there are 59 units in the Building and each unit is allotted one share, except the Roof, the 4 units on the Ground Floor and the 6/F and 7/F of No. 21 Wan King Street, which are allotted two shares each with a total of 66 undivided shares for the Building and the Lot.  Subsequently each paired Flat A and Flat B of all the units from 1/F to 7/F (inclusive), except Flat A and Flat B of 5/F and 7/F of No. 19 Wan King Street and of 1/F of No. 22 Wan Shun Street, have been assigned to the same owner as one unit.  As a result, there are now 36 units in the Building.

3.The Applicant commenced the present proceedings on 18 April 2012.  At that time, the 1st Respondents are the registered owner of Ground Floor (formerly G/F of House No. 6 Block C), No. 20 Wan Shun Street,

Kowloon, Hong Kong; the 2nd Respondent, Flat B on 1st Floor (formerly Flat B on 1/F of House No. 8 Block C), No. 22 Wan Shun Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong; the 3rd Respondent, Flat B on 5th Floor (formerly Flat B on 5/F of House No. 5 Block C), No. 19 Wan King Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong; the 4th Respondent, Flat A & Flat B on 6th Floor (formerly Flat A and Flat B on 6/F of House No. 5 Block C), No. 19 Wan King Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong; the 5th Respondent, Flat B on 7th Floor (formerly Flat B on 7/F of House No. 5 Block C), No. 19 Wan King Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong; and the 6th Respondents, The whole Roof (formerly the roof of House 5 & 7 Wan King Street 6 & 8 Wan Shun Street), Nos. 19 & 21 Wan King Street, Nos. 20 & 22 Wan Shun Street, Kowloon, Hong Kong.  The Applicant owns the remaining units in the Building and 57 equal undivided 66th parts or shares in the Lot representing 86.36%. The Applicant contends that it is entitled to make the present application by virtue of Section 3(2) of the Ordinance.

4.Since then, the Applicant has acquired the interests of the 1st Respondents, the 2nd Respondent, the 3rd Respondent, and the 5th Respondent and has discontinued the application against them by orders of the Tribunal.

5.As at the date of hearing, the 4th Respondent owns 2 equal undivided 66th parts or shares of and in the Lot ("the 4th Respondent’s premises") and the 6th Respondents own 2 equal undivided 66th parts or shares of and in the Lot ("the 6th Respondents’ premises").  All the remaining shares and units in the Building and the Lot are owned by the Applicant.  Thus, the percentage of the undivided shares owned by the Applicant in the Lot is now 93.94%.

6.Both the 4th Respondent and the 6th Respondents did not file any Notice of Opposition.

7.An Order for dispensing with services on the 4th Respondent under section 3(4) of the Ordinance was granted by the Tribunal on 30th November 2012. The publication of notices in newspapers pursuant to the Order was duly complied with by the Applicant.  Before the hearing, the solicitors for the Applicant have duly served all the papers of the Application to the address of the 6th Respondents made known to the solicitors.  The 4th Respondent and the 6th Respondents were absent at the hearing and did not file any response or expert report. 

8.In view of the absence of the 4th Respondent and the 6th Respondents, Mr C.Y. Li SC, Counsel for the Applicant, simply called the Applicant’s witnesses to confirm their evidence.  The Applicant contends that all the requirements of the Ordinance have been satisfied and asks for an order for sale in terms of the draft order submitted.  The Applicant also asks there be no order as to costs.

Section 3 of the Ordinance – Ownership of the Applicant

9.Section 3(1) of the Ordinance requires the Applicant to have not less than 90% of the undivided shares in a lot before it can make an application. 

10.Section 3(5) of the Ordinance also states that the Chief Executive in Council may, by notice in the Gazette, specify a percentage lower than the percentage mentioned in subsection (1) in respect of a lot belonging to a class of lots specified in the notice.

11.Pursuant to Section 3(5) of the Ordinance, the notice was gazetted on 22 January 2010 and tabled at the Legislative Council meeting on 27 January 2010.  It came into operation on 1 April 2010.  Section 3 of the notice lowered the threshold for compulsory sale from 90% to 80%.  Section 4(1)(b) of the notice specified one of the classes for the purposes of Section 3, as "a lot with each of the building erected on the lot issued with an occupation permit at least 50 years before the relevant date (which is the date of the application)".  The occupation permit of the Building was issued on 25 April 1960, which is more than 51 years before the date of application.  The Building therefore is covered by the notice and the applicable percentage is 80%.

12.As at the date of application, the Applicant owns 86.36% of the shares in the Lot.  The Applicant is clearly entitled to make the application. 

Section 4(2) of the Ordinance - Justification and Reasonable Steps

13.In determining the Applicant’s application, Section 4(2) of the Ordinance requires me not to make an order for sale unless, after hearing the objections, if any, of the 4th Respondent and the 6th Respondents, I am satisfied that:

(a)           the redevelopment of the Lot is justified due to the age or state of repair of the Building; and

(b)           the Applicant has taken reasonable steps to acquire all the undivided shares in the Lot (including negotiating for the purchase of the undivided shares owned by the 4th Respondent and the 6th Respondents on terms that are fair and reasonable).

14.Mr Li submits that the relevant tests on age and state of repair were set out in Top Sail International Ltd v. Cheng Kai Ming, executor of the estate of Chan Hue also known as Chan Sum Hiu, deceased (LDCS 18000/2010, 15 November 2011, unreported).  Mr. Li further submits that the tests were also applied recently in the decisions of this Tribunal in Champion Success Limited & Another v. Leung Lai Lai the administratrix of the estate of Lai Yin King Deceased & Others (LDCS 41000/2011, 16 January 2013, unreported), Eversound Investments Limited v. Tung Chun Hung & Others (LDCS 5000/2012, 23 January 2013, unreported), Eversound Investments Limited v. Wu Lai Ho Fatima & Others (LDCS 36000/2012, 21 March 2013, unreported), Eversound Investments Limited v. Lee Yuk Fun & Others (LDCS 4000/2012, 17 April 2013, unreported) and Eversound Investments Limited v. Au-Yeung Ngan Siu & Others (LDCS 34000/2012, 23 April 2013, unreported).   I am of the view that “the age” and “state of repair” are two separate grounds and even though there may be considerations common to both, I should still consider them separately.  Since Mr Li relies primarily on “state of repair”, I shall deal with this ground first.

State of Repair of the Building

15.The Applicant’s expert, Mr Raymond Chan of Raymond Chan Surveyors Limited ("Mr R Chan"), in his Condition Survey Report, gives his opinion, inter alia, that:

(a)   Unauthorized roof-top structures are erected on part of the main roof.

(b)   The condition of the canton tiles is poor. Irregular cracks are commonly found and most of the canton tiles are debonded from the roof slab. The waterproofing layers under the canton tiles are exposed at isolated locations and vegetation growth are noted over the main roof.

(c)    Peeling off paint is found at the wall of staircase hoods.

(d)   Based on his visual inspection to the external walls with the aid of binoculars, the following defects are observed:

(i) The condition of render and paint of the external walls is poor.

(ii)   Although patch repairs are noted to be carried out at the external wall, the finished surfaces are uneven and signs of bulging are commonly found.

(iii)   Cracking is found under some reinforced concrete canopies and at the surface of external wall.

(iv)   Unauthorized building works, such as drying racks, antenna, air-conditioning supporting frames, corrugated canopies with dilapidated condition are noted at the external walls.

(v)   As the Building was built in the 1950’s, Mr R Chan suspects that the unauthorized corrugated canopies commonly installed on the top of windows may contain asbestos materials which were widely used at that time for thermal insulation.

(vi)   Unauthorized enclosure of window openings is found on the cockloft floor.

(vii)   Unauthorized enclosure of window openings is commonly found on the re-entrant of each floor facing Wan King Street and Wan Shun Street.

(e)    Based on Mr R Chan’s visual inspection with the aid of binoculars, the following defects are observed at the light wells:

(i) The condition of render of the two light wells is poor.  The finished surfaces are uneven and signs of bulging are commonly found.

(ii) The condition of the drainage pipes mounted on the light wells is poor. The hopper for trapping the drainage pipes is in a messy condition. The pipe joints are not properly installed with proprietary materials. Most of the pipe brackets are corroded and some of the pipe brackets are not mounted stably to the pipes

(iii) Unauthorized alteration of the drainage pipes is commonly found at the subdivided flats.

(iv) Unauthorized building works like rusty corrugated canopies are noted at the light wells. As the Building was built in 1950’s, Mr R Chan suspects that the corrugated canopies commonly installed on the top of windows may contain asbestos materials which were widely used at that time for thermal insulation.

(f) The condition of steel window frame is poor which most of the steel frames corroded.

(g) The condition of the fixed light of wired glasses and steel window frame is poor. Most of the wired glasses are broken which may endanger public safety.

(h) Some of the mosaic tiles of the staircases are seriously broken. Diagonal crack is found on the parapet wall of staircase.

(i) Serious concrete spalling is noted at the column. Concrete spalling is also found near window.

(j) Unauthorized building structures are erected under the staircases facing Wan Shun Street and Wan King Street.

16.For the internal conditions:

(a)   Concrete spalling is commonly found on the structural elements like beams, columns and near window openings. Damp patches are also noted at the wall and ceiling.

(b)   Water seepage and peeling off paint are also noted on the ceiling and near window opening. Cracking tiles are noted at the beam.

(c)    Serious mould and peeling off paint are also found on walls, ceilings, columns and beams.

(d)   Raised screed of approximately 400 mm thick is found in the bathroom of some of the flats. This might impose additional dead load onto the structure and might have adverse effect to the structural stability of the Building.

(e)    Unauthorized cocklofts are erected at the high level of some of the units. Independent accesses connecting the respective domestic units are provided to the unauthorized cocklofts.

(f)     An unauthorized shopfront has extended and encroached over Wan King Street. The extended metal frame of the shopfront is poor with serious corrosion.

17.Based on the result of his condition survey, Mr R Chan concludes that the roof is generally in poor condition.  The waterproofing of the main roof and upper roof should reach the end of its life expectance as serious water seepage, damp patches and peeling off paint are noted at the ceiling of topmost storey. This indicates that the waterproofing system has failed to function.  Unauthorized structures on roof might have further weakened the waterproofing system of the main roof and also affect the roof structure.  Although the external wall is newly painted, site evidence shows that some defects like abandoned bolts and nails, rust stains, poor workmanship of the patch repair works, bulging of render and defective drainage, etc are still noted. Moreover, the internal condition of the Building is totally different from the external walls with serious concrete spalling and cracks on the structural elements. It indicates that some defects of the building structure are hidden by cosmetic decoration only. Site evidence also shows that a lot of unauthorized drying racks, supporting racks/ frames and abandoned nails and bolts at various residential flats remain at the external walls. Subject to weathering, fixing bolts/nails of these metal frames are rusted which might expand and slowly push off the concrete cover and result in more serious concrete defects.  Unauthorized building works (“UBWs”) are noted in the Building. They are not shown in the approved building plans and contravene the Buildings Ordinance. The corrugated canopies/sheets located at the external walls and the light wells are suspected to contain asbestos.  Defective paint and plaster finishes are commonly identified at many internal locations. Cracks and concrete spallings are commonly found in the internal areas.  Cracks and concrete spallings with corroded reinforcement bars greatly exposed are observed on the structural elements, such as beams and columns. This might affect the structural stability of the Building.  Kitchen is a place with special hazard. Inadequate fire resistance rating on the walls and doors separating the kitchen with the rest of the flat will impose potential dangers to the people living inside the units in case of fire.

18.Mr R Chan is of the opinion that the Building is generally in a dilapidated and potentially dangerous condition.  The structural stability of the Building is also affected by the defects and UBWs.  The Building was built in 1960 and is more than 50 years old. Although extensive repair works may extend the Building’s life span, the continuous maintenance costs are expected to be increasingly high. Based on the result of his condition survey, in Mr R Chan’s opinion, the Building is in a state of disrepair with its structural frames in dilapidated condition. Some of the building components and finishes are at the end of their effective life span.  Without substantial repairs, the Building is not up to tenantable standard.  Indeed, putting aside the astronomical costs need to be incurred for the repair and maintenance of the Building, Mr R Chan is also of the opinion that it is not feasible or practical to undertake such a course as it would entail a closure of the Building for a substantial period of time. The Building is indeed in potentially dangerous condition and the only sensible solution is to rebuild.

19.The Applicant instructs another expert, Dr Sammy Chan of Wong & Cheng Consulting Engineers Limited (“Dr Chan”) to prepare Structural Assessment Report.  Dr Chan has carried out a visual inspection with a team of engineers on the structural elements of the Building for recording and identifying structural defects, so that the general condition of these elements can be evaluated. He is able to inspect all structural elements within the accessible areas of the Building including staircases, corridors and roof, over 90% (26 out of 28) of flats are accessible and are also inspected.

(a)   During the inspection, structural defects such as concrete cracking/spalling, spalling with exposure of corroded reinforcing bar and water seepage are observed in 80% of the inspected flats. Some of the defective areas are extensive. In Dr Chan’s opinion, the Building is at an advanced stage of degradation. The observed structural defects are likely caused by years of neglect and poor maintenance.

(b)   Many concrete spallings are found to have extended into the inner body of the reinforced concrete columns and beams which would have reduced the strength of these structural elements. Concrete spalling with exposed and corroded reinforcing bars are observed in many locations and indicate that these areas have reached an advanced stage of corrosion. The diameters of many of these exposed reinforcements are significantly reduced due to corrosion.

(c)    For the Building, the severe degradation of some of the structural members could likely cause local partial failure of the structural members, which if unabated could potentially lead to progressive failure of the Building.

(d)   UBWs include unauthorized mezzanine floor above the retail shops, and unauthorized metal canopies frames installed on Ground Floor and Roof.

(e)    UBWs observed have created tremendous problems to the community including the potential structural and fire risks, endangering the safety of life and property. UBW could also obstruct the day-to-day maintenance as well as major repairs to the Building.

(f)     According to the result of visual inspection carried out, a total of 105 structural defects are identified from the structural elements of the Building.  The identified structural defects include concrete spalling, spalling with exposure of corroded reinforcing bar and water seepage.

20.In order to obtain general information on the existing structural conditions of the Building, an approved laboratory Qualitech Testing & Consultancy Ltd. which is accredited by the HOKLAS is instructed to carry out in-situ and laboratory tests on selected locations. 

(a)   Compressive Strength Test

10 nos. of 75 mm diameter core samples have been taken and compression tests carried out in the laboratory to determine the estimated in-situ strength of concrete.

(b)   Carbonation Test

The maximum and mean depths of carbonation are determined by the phenolphthalein method on 10 nos. structural elements.  The results indicate that carbonation depth has exceeded the concrete cover in all the tested structural elements.

(c)    Chloride Content Test

Chloride content tests are carried out on 9 nos. of structural elements.  The results indicate that the chloride content ranges from 0.09% to 2.68% with an average of 1.43%.

(d)   Cement Content Test

Cement content tests are carried out on 9 nos. of structural dements.  The results indicate that the cement content ranges from 8.1% to 16.4% with an average of 11.1%.

(e)    Sulphate Content Test

Sulphate content tests are carried out on 9 nos. of structural elements.  The results indicate that the sulphate content ranges from 0.9% to 2.6% with an average of 1.54%.

(f)     Cover Meter Test

Cover meter tests are performed on 6 nos. structural elements to determine the depth of concrete cover for each type of structural elements.

(g)   Open Up Survey

10 nos. of identified areas are opened up to determine the extent of corrosion on reinforcement.  The results are:

(i)      Locally - The corrosion exists in only a specific part on the surface area of the reinforcement exposed under survey.

(ii)   General - The corrosion exists in all or most part on the surface area of the reinforcement exposed under survey (approx. 90% up to 100%).

(iii)   Pitting - The corrosion makes pits or hollow on the surface area of the reinforcement exposed under survey.

The results indicate that all surface area of surveyed reinforcements are thoroughly weathered, thoroughly blistered, or thoroughly stained, 100% corroded and pitting.  The results also indicate that over 90% (36 nos. out of 38) surveyed reinforcements have loss of cross-sectional area (loss from 30% to 100%).

(h)   Infrared Thermography Survey

Extensive suspected void areas/water seepage areas could be identified on the concrete structures of external walls by infrared thermographic survey.

21.From the test results, in Dr Chan’s opinion:

(i)     Compressive Strength Test

The average estimated in-situ cube strength obtained from the compressive strength tests are 41.8 MPa for slab, 33 MPa for beam and 26.3 MPa for column.  Approved plans indicate that the general concrete strength is 21 MPa. Therefore, the average estimated in-situ concrete cube strengths can be considered to be higher than the design strength of 21 MPa. 

(ii)   Carbonation Test

For concrete with carbonated depth exceeding the concrete cover, the passivation layer which protects the reinforcing bars from corrosion is destroyed due to the lowering of pH by the carbonated concrete and corrosion of the steel reinforcement will start with sufficient moisture and oxygen.  The test results indicate that 100% of the tested concrete elements are considerably carbonated.  Corroded steel reinforcement would result in cracking/splaying concrete.

(iii)     Chloride Content Test

Chloride content in concrete is an important index indicating the status of reinforced concrete structures in respect to chloride-induced corrosion.  In accordance with Building (Construction) Regulations, percentage of total chloride content of not greater than 0.35% is considered acceptable for concrete containing embedded metal and made with ordinary or rapid hardening Portland cement.  The average of chloride content on all the tested locations is 1.43% which is higher than the specified limit.

(iv)     Cement Content Test

The cement content of concrete is important from the aspect of durability, impermeability and strength. Too low a cement content may cause inadequate structural capability or more frequently may not provide a durable protective environment for the steel reinforcement, permitting rapid carbonation and subsequent loss of the protective alkaline environment for the steel.  The design cement sand mixing is 1:2:4 according to the approved plans which is equivalent to a cement content of approximately 14.3%. The average result of 11.1% cement content is lower than the estimated design mix.

(v)   Sulphate Content Test

Exposure of concrete made with Portland cement to sulphate salts can cause damage due to an expansive reaction between the cement and the sulphate salt to form crystals of ettringite.  Given adequate space to form, the ettringite forms needle like crystals, but in confined space causes an expansive reaction.  The results indicate that the sulphate content ranges from 0.9% to 2.6% with an average of 1.54%.  Higher sulphate content decreases the durability of concrete by changing the chemical nature of the cement paste, and the mechanical properties of the concrete.

(vi)     Cover Meter Scan

Sufficient thickness of concrete cover will ensure adequate durability by providing proper protection to the steel reinforcement and also the required fire protection to the structural elements.  From the approved plans, the structure was designed to have a minimum concrete cover of 15 mm for slab, 25 mm for beam and 25 mm for column.  The test results indicated that the overall concrete cover for slab and beam is lower than the minimum design of concrete cover from the approved plans.

(vii)   Open Up Survey

Open up inspections confirm that the embedded steel reinforcement are extensively blistered, corroded and pitting.  Corrosion of steel reinforcing bars would cause deterioration in concrete structures due to reduction in strength as a result of reduction in cross-sectional area of the reinforcing bar, cracking and spalling of cover concrete due to the expansive forces of the corrosion products and loss of structural bond between the reinforcement and cracked concrete.

(viii)   Infrared Thermography Survey

Thermography testing is capable of detecting evidence of air gap or moisture due to change in thermal conductivity and/or thermal capacitance of the external wall.  Infrared thermographic survey results in the identification of extensive suspected void/water seepage areas (16 nos. with total area of 56.2 sq. m.) on the concrete structures of external wall.

22.In conclusion, Dr Chan confirms that a total of 105 defects are observed on the structural elements of G/F, 1/F to 7/F exhibiting signs of structural defects including concrete cracking/spalling, spalling with exposure of corroded reinforcing bar and water seepage.  Over 95% (101 nos. out of 105 nos.) of observed defects are concrete cracking/ spalling. Spalling with exposure of corroded reinforcing bar, large areas (from 0.16 sq. m. to 2 sq. m.) of serious spalling with exposure of corroded reinforcing bar could be observed on the structural beams. Severe/thorough corrosion also could be observed on those exposed reinforcing bars. The cracking/spalling, spalling with exposure of corroded reinforcing bar, are caused by concrete carbonation due to natural deterioration/degradation which reduces the alkalinity of the concrete pore solution leading to corrosion of the embedded steel reinforcing bars.  The corroded reinforcement would cause the concrete to crack/spall due to the expansive forces of the corrosion products.  Water seepages could be also observed on the slab soffit of lavatories or kitchens indicating defective waterproofing works which would allow water to penetrate into the concrete structures.  UBWs cause concerns on structural danger to the Building such as fire risks and overloading.  The results of carbonation test indicate that the passivation layer which protects the reinforcing bars from corrosion is destroyed as 100% of the tested concrete elements are considerably carbonated.  The results of chloride content test indicate that the average percentage of chloride content (1.43%) of tested concrete elements is obviously higher than the specified limit (0.35%). When a sufficient amount of chlorides reaches the steel reinforcement it permeates the passivating layer and increases the risk of corrosion. The resistivity of concrete can also be reduced, affecting the corrosion rate of the steel.  The results of cement content test indicate that the average percentage of cement content (11.1%) of tested concrete elements is lower than the estimated mix (14.3%).  Too low a cement content may cause inadequate structural capability or more frequently may not provide a durable protective environment for the steel reinforcement, permitting rapid carbonation and subsequent loss of the protective alkaline environment for the steel.  The results of sulphate content test indicate that the average percentage of sulphate content (1.54%) of tested concrete elements. Higher sulphate content decreass the durability of concrete by changing the chemical nature of the cement paste, and of the mechanical properties of the concrete.  The result of cover meter scan indicates that the overall concrete covers for beam (23.3 mm) are lower than the estimated minimum design of concrete cover (25 mm). Insufficient thickness of concrete cover decreases the durability by providing proper protection to the steel reinforcement and also the required fire protection to the structural elements.  The results of open up survey indicate that the embedded steel reinforcements are extensively blistered, corroded and pitting. Corrosion of steel reinforcing bars would cause deterioration in concrete structures due to (i) reduction in strength as a result of reduction in cross-sectional area of the reinforcing bar, (ii) cracking and spalling of cover concrete due to the expansive forces of the corrosion products and (iii) loss of structural bond between the reinforcement and cracked concrete.  The results of infrared thermography survey identify there are extensive suspected void/water seepage areas (16 nos. with total area of 56.2 sq. m.) on the concrete structures of external wall. These void areas would induce deterioration in concrete structures caused by natural deterioration/degradation of the Building due to improper maintenance and ageing problem. 

23.Based on the findings of Mr R Chan and Dr Chan, I am satisfied that redevelopment of the Building is justified on the ground of state of repair.

Age of the Building

24.As to the age of the Building, there is no dispute that the Building is now 53 years old.  The relevant occupation permit was issued on 25 April 1960.

25.Mr Li submits that I should not consider just the physical age of the Building, but should also consider the physical conditions of the Building.  He relies on the remarks of Mr R Chan and Dr Chan that it would cost respectively $7,793,217 and $12,556,170 to properly repair the Building, and that it is more cost effective to demolish and rebuild the Building.  I agree with Mr Li’s submission that the figure of 44.4%, being the total repair cost of $20,349,387, over the higher of the EUV of the Building, which is $45,825,185 as assessed by the Applicant’s valuer (see the discussion below), is a very substantial percentage.

26.In Dr Chan’s opinion, according to the results of in-situ/laboratory tests, the embedded steel reinforcements of the Building are extensively blistered, corroded and pitted. Moreover, the protective concrete cover is considerably carbonated.  Excessive carbonation of concrete indicates that the concrete cover has lost its function to protect the embedded reinforcement of the reinforced concrete members. This proposition is supported by the finding of substantial corrosion of reinforcement as observed from the open-up survey of structural elements.  As a result, the overall stability of the Building may be adversely reduced for such degradation of structural members.  In respect of the chemical test result, low cement content recorded shows that the structural members could have low concrete strength and could not provide a durable protective environment for the steel reinforcement. High sulphate content also decreases the durability of concrete.  The resistivity of concrete is also low, increasing the corrosion rate of the steel bars.  As the stability of the Building is provided by frame action of the reinforced concrete frame, the extensive poor condition of the embedded steel reinforcement identified could cause local structural failure of the building members.  For the considerable extent in terms of area and degree of defects in the premises concerned, Dr Chan considers that normal concrete repair work may not be a cost-effective solution to restore the overall integrity of the Building.  Also, the overloading issue due to additional partitions in the sub-divided units and raised floor cannot be resolved or rectified simply by removing the loadings and then by patch repairing the concrete members because affected building structures may have been overstressed for many years and their structural integrity has already been damaged. 

27.In Dr Chan’s opinion, The Building has already undergone severe degradation which renders it not worthwhile to be rectified by conventional repair and maintenance measures. The overall structural integrity of the Building is in doubt due to the overloading in the sub-divided units (additional walls and raised floors) which renders the potential local failure of the affected building structures.  As the nature and extent of structural strengthening work to the existing building are more complicated and substantial as compared with localized repair work, Dr Chan considers the implementation of a conventional repair and maintenance work package for the Building may not relieve the prevailing degradation problem.

28.According to Mr R Chan:

(a) The level difference between the staircase’s landings at roof floor and the external ground level is less than 150 mm. This contravenes S.35 of the Building (Construction) Regulations (“B(C)R”), which stipulate that the level of the floor next above the external ground, shall be not less than 150 mm above the level of the external ground.

(b) The two staircases in the Building which are for means of escape purposes do not comply with the current statutory requirements in the following aspects:

(i) The width of the staircases is around 1020 mm only. This does not comply with the current requirement of S.41(l) of the Building (Planning) Regulations (“B(P)R”) and Clause B8.1 and Table B2 of the Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Buildings 2011 published by the Building Authority in 2011 (“Fire Safety Code”). In this Code, the minimum width of staircase required is 1050 mm.

(ii)   Some flights of required staircases only have one riser which does not comply with current requirement of S.41(l) of the B(P)R and Clause B14.2 of the Fire Safety Code. In this Code, each flight should consist of not less than 2 risers.

(iii)   The residential units at each storey could access to the staircase directly from the entrances and the kitchens without passing through a protected lobby, which does not comply with the current requirement of S.41(l) of the B(P)R and Clause B10.4 of the Fire Safety Code. In this Code, access to the staircase at each storey should be through a protected lobby if the level of the highest floor of the building is more than 13 m above ground level (According to the building plan approved by the Building Authority on 3rd March 1959 under reference number 2/4847/58, the height of the Building is around 25.806 m).

(iv)   No handrail is provided at isolated locations of the staircases, which does not comply with the current requirement of S.41(l) of the B(P)R and Clause B14.6 of the Fire Safety Code. In this Code, handrail on each side of the staircase is required.

(v)   Exit doors of most of the residential flats (including kitchen exit doors), from 1/F to 7/F directly open onto the staircase landing are of hardwood doors and metal gates.  They were built in old style and are not up to current standard. For instance, they do not have door closer and intumescent seal.  Besides, they do not comply with the current requirements of S.90 of the B(C)R, Clause C9.3 and E5.1 of the Fire Safety Code.  In this Code, door giving access to the escape staircase requires to have minimum -/60/- Fire Resistance Rating and to be tested in accordance with BS EN 1634-1:2008, BS EN 1634-2:2008, BS EN 1634-3:2004 and BS EN 14600:2005.

(vi)   The effective width of most of the sliding metal gates leading to the common staircases, which is the exit doors of the individual flats, is around 460 mm. This does not comply with the current requirement of S.41(l) of the B(P)R and Clause B7.1 of the Fire Safety Code. The Code requires that the effective width of exit door should be 750 mm.

(vii)   Distance between the nearest points in the perimeter of the landings to the two required staircases connecting from roof to G/F is about 2600 mm only, which does not comply with the current requirement of S.41(l) of the B(P)R and Clause B10.2 of the Fire Safety Code.  In this clause, the minimum distance between the nearest points in the perimeter of the landings to the two required staircases should not be less than 6 m.

(viii)    Width of the exit route connecting the two required staircases is 950 mm only, which does not comply with the current requirement of S.41(l) of the B(P)R and Clause B8.1 of the Fire Safety Code.  In this clause, the minimum width should be 1050 mm.

(ix)   The width of each of the exit doors intercepting the exit route connecting the two required staircases is about 400 mm, which does not comply with the current requirement of S.41(l) of the B(P)R and Clause B13.4 of the Fire Safety Code. In this clause, exit door from a storey having an occupant capacity in excess of 3 persons should not be less than 750mm in width and in case of double leaf doors, no leaf of such door should be less than 600mm in width.

(x)   Water supply pipes and electric meters aere not protected by fire resisting enclosure in the required staircases. This does not comply with the current requirement of S.90 of the B(C)R and Clause C9.3(d) of the Fire Safety Code. In this clause, any services other than emergency services should not be accommodated in all required staircase unless such services are enclosed by fire barriers having an FRR of not less than that of the walls separating the protected exit from the rest of the building.

(xi)   The means of escape from any of the flat is necessary to pass through the landing of one required staircase in order to reach another required staircase in case the first required staircase is not suitable for evacuating.  This does not comply with the current requirement of S.41(l) of B(P)R and Clause B10.3 of the Fire Safety Code.  The Code requires the means of escape from any part of a building should be so arranged that it is not necessary to pass through one required staircase enclosure or the landing of one required staircase, as the case maybe, in order to reach another required staircase

(c)    The exit doors intercepting the exit route connecting the two required staircases do not open in the direction of exit. The occupant capacity of each floor in the Building does not exceed 30, however, in case of emergency, the total occupant capacity of the Building will exceed 30. When one of the required staircases is not suitable for evacuation, it will be difficult for evacuees to reach another required staircase.

(d)   The staircases which are the means of escape of the Building are in unsatisfactory condition and do not meet the current requirements under the B(P)R, B(C)R and Fire Safety Code.

(e)    There is no accessible lift installed at the Building for persons with physical disability or chronic illness to access to the flats on upper floors. The upper floors are served by only one staircase. Non-provision of the accessible lift is obviously a functional obsoleteness affecting the convenience and comfort in the use of the upper floors of the Building and do not meet the current requirements of the barrier free access under the S.72(l) of the B(P)R and the Design Manual: Barrier Free Access 2008 published by the Building Authority in 2008 ( “BFA Code”). In this Code, accessible lift shall be provided for domestic building which is more than 13 m in height above ground level and for separate occupation.

(f)     Some of the flats are subdivided into 2 flats. No kitchen is provided. This does not comply with the current requirement of S.45 of the B(P)R. The regulation stipulates that every domestic building which is intended to be separately let for dwelling purposes shall be provided with kitchen accommodation.

(g)   The width of the internal common corridor connecting some of the subdivided flats is about 750 mm. This does not comply with the current requirement of S.41(l) of the B(P)R and Table B2 of the Fire Safety Code. In this code, the minimum width of exit route is 1050 mm.

(h)   Absence of smoke seal on the door of each subdivided flat would render some of the flats contravene Clause C6.1 of the Code of Practice for Fire Safety in Buildings.

(i)     The headroom underneath the unauthorized cockloft is less than 2.3 m, which does not comply with current requirements of S.24 of the B(P)R. In this regulation, the headroom of any room used or intended to be use for the purpose of an office or for habitation shall have a height of not less than 2.5 m from floor to ceiling and 2.3 m measured from the floor to the underside of any beam.

(j)     The bottom of openable window in some of the flats is less than 1100 mm above the level of the floor. This does not comply with the current requirement of S.8 of B(C)R. The regulation stipulates that the protective barrier should be at a height above the higher of the adjacent levels of not less than 1100 mm.

(k)   The balustrade of openable window in one of the flats is less than 1100 mm above the level of the floor. This does not comply with the current requirement of S.8 of B(C)R. The regulation stipulates that the protective barrier should be at a height above the higher of the adjacent levels of not less than 1100 mm.

(l)     According to B(P)R S.49(l)(c), no building used or designed for domestic purpose or intended for habitation shall be used for dangerous trade. One of the flats is used as a laundry which is one of the specified dangerous trades.

29.Mr R Chan concludes that the Building is in obsolete design. The substandard in width of the escape staircase, nil provision of protected lobby to escape staircase and accessible lift for persons with disability are not up to current legislative requirements.

30.I agree with the view of the Tribunal expressed in Top Sail (supra), that

"when the requirement of “the age” of the Building is considered, we should not restrict our consideration to just the physical age of the Building.  There are many factors related to the age of a building which should also be considered"  (para. 23);

and that

"the Tribunal has discretion to determine at what stage a building should be redeveloped after considering all the relevant factors concerning the age of the building in question"  (para. 23);

and that

"the physical age of a building is clearly one of the considerations, but it would not be the only consideration.  The physical conditions of a building and the amount that would be required to maintain the building are other factors that the Tribunal should consider, as they would affect the decision on whether the life of a building should be ended or prolonged.  The obsolete design of a building should also be considered as it has an important impact on whether it is too old to serve a modern society." (para .24).

31.Having considered all the evidence as aforesaid, I am satisfied that the redevelopment of the Building is also justified on the ground of the age of the Building due to the following factors:

(a)   the Building is now 53 years old;

(b)   the Building is in very poor physical conditions and very substantial cost is required to repair or maintain the Building; and

(c)    the obsolete design of the Building does not suit the present requirements of a building.

Reasonable Steps to Acquire All the Undivided Shares in the Lot

32.As required by Section 4(2)(b) of the Ordinance, the Applicant is under an obligation to negotiate for the purchase of the 4th Respondent’s and the 6th Respondents’ undivided shares in the Lot on terms that are fair and reasonable. 

33.The evidence of the Applicant’s factual witness, Mr Alex Au-Yeung, shows that:

(a)   Before launching the present .proceedings and with an intention to avert the same if possible, the Applicant had asked Knight Frank Petty Limited ("Knight Frank'') to assess the value of the units in the Building on the existing use value basis (“EUV”) and the redevelopment value (“RDV”) of the Lot.  The Applicant made offers to the 4th Respondent and the 6th Respondents for acquiring the 4th Respondent’s premises and the 6th Respondents’ premises prior to the commencement of the proceedings.

(b)   According to Knight Frank’s assessment dated 9 January 2012, the higher of the two valuations of the 4th Respondent’s premises was $1,545,280.  The Applicant offered to purchase the 4th Respondent’s premises at $1,623,000 on 9 January 2012. According to Knight Frank’s assessment dated 29 February 2012, the higher of the two valuations of the 4th Respondent’s premises was $1,495,054.  The Applicant offered to purchase the 4th Respondent’s premises at $1,570,000 on 29 February 2012.   The Applicant made another offer of $1,795,000 to the 4th Respondent on 20 March 2012. 

(c)    According to Knight Frank’s assessment dated 9 January 2012, the higher of the two valuations of the 6th Respondents’ premises was $743,509.  The Applicant offered to purchase the 6th Respondents’ premises at $781,000 on 9 January 2012.  According to Knight Frank’s assessment dated 29 February 2012, the higher of the two valuations of the 6th Respondents’ premises was $719,260.  The Applicant offered to purchase the 6th Respondents’ premises at $760,000 on 29 February 2012.   The Applicant made another offer of $864,000 on 20 March 2012. 

(d)   As the 4th Respondent and the 6th Respondents did not make any response to the offers, the Applicant commenced the present proceedings. 

(e)    As the 4th Respondent and the 6th Respondents did not file any appearance in the application, no mediation has taken place.

34.Although I do not have detailed evidence of Knight Frank’s assessments when the Applicant offered to purchase the 4th Respondent’s premises and the 6th Respondents’ premises, I am satisfied that, on the evidence available, the offers made by the Applicant fall "within the range of what may broadly be regarded as fair and reasonable" as said by Mr Justice Ribeiro PJ in Capital Well Ltd v. Bond Star Development Ltd (2005) 8 HKCFAR 578 at para. 33.  Thus, I conclude that the Applicant has taken reasonable steps to acquire all the undivided shares in the Lot.

Order for Sale

35.By reasons of the matters aforesaid, I am satisfied that an order for sale should be granted in favour of the Applicant.  The remaining question is how much I should fix for the reserve price.

Reserve Price

36.Mr Alnwick Chan, a Fellow Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in the General Practice Division as well as the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, of Knight Frank (“Mr A Chan”) prepared a report dated 18 April 2012 valuing the EUV of all the units in the Building as at 21 February 2012 (“Knight Frank EUV Report”). The Knight Frank EUV Report is the statutory report attached to the Application. 

37.In Mr A Chan’s valuation, where pairs of sub-divided flats within one typical unit are acquired by the same owner, he considers these units as one typical unit, as if it has not been sub-divided.

38.Mr A Chan finds that according to the approved building plan and the occupation permit of the Building, all units in the Building are marked "domestic".  As such, Mr A Chan considers the permitted user of all the units is domestic.  However, during Mr A Chan’s inspection of the Building, he finds that all the units on the Ground Floor are used as non-domestic.  Mr A Chan therefore has prepared his EUV valuation based on 2 scenarios, one assuming all units are domestic; and two, assuming all the units on the Ground Floor are non-domestic.

39.Mr A Chan has also prepared a Supplemental Report dated 13 March 2013 valuing the EUV of all the units in the Building as at 21 February 2012 taking into account the further inspection of units in the Building and the available updated price index (“Knight Frank Revised EUV Report”).

40.In his valuation of the EUV of the ground floor units of the Building as non-domestic, Mr A Chan adopted the following methodology:-

(a)   He selected Ground Floor, No. 19 Wan King Street as the reference unit (“the Reference Shop Unit”).  He then took into account of 6 comparable transactions in 4 different buildings nearby. After making what he regarded as the necessary adjustments (for time, location, building age, internal condition, frontage, return frontage, headroom, layout and size) for all these comparable transactions, he took the average of the adjusted unit rate of the comparables to come to the unit price of the Reference Shop Unit at $72,715/m², which was rounded to $73,000/m².

(b)   He then used the unit rate of the Reference Shop Unit to assess the other ground floor units.

41.In his valuation of the EUV of the domestic units of the Building, Mr A Chan adopted the following methodology :

(a)   He selected 4th Floor of No. 20 Wan Shun Street ("the Reference Domestic Unit"), which was situated on the middle floor of the domestic portion as the reference unit for the purpose of valuing its unit price. 

(b)   The unit price of the Reference Domestic Unit was first assessed by making reference to market comparables.  He took into account of 13 comparable transactions in 10 different buildings nearby.  After making what he regarded as the necessary adjustments (for time, location/accessibility, age, lift service, floor, size, building condition, internal condition and view) for all these comparable transactions, he took the average of the adjusted unit rate of the comparables to come to the unit price of the Reference Domestic Unit at $37,057/m², which was rounded to $37,000/m².

(c)    He further considered the floor difference and internal conditions of the Reference Domestic Unit and the remaining domestic units within the Building to arrive at the EUV of all the domestic units.

42.For the roof of the Building, Mr A Chan converted the saleable area of the roof as domestic by using a conversion factor of 1:8.

43.Mr Li submits that insofar as the statutory EUV report is concerned which is used for deciding the apportionment ratio under section 10(3) and Part 3 of Schedule 1 of the Ordinance, following Gilmerton Limited and Others v. Polywin Holdings Limited and Others (LDCS 2000 of 2004, 17 January 2005, unreported) at paras. 12, 13, 14 and 15, the valuation date of Mr A Chan’s Knight Frank EUV Report is 21 February 2012, which is within 3 months of the Application.

44.Mr Li also submits that Mr A Chan’s Knight Frank Revised EUV Report gives 2 EUV figures depending on whether the use of the ground floor of the Building is domestic or non-domestic.  In the first scenario (the use of the ground floor of the Building is domestic), the total EUV of all the units in the Building in the Knight Frank Revised EUV Report is $41,334,389 and the EUV of the 4th Respondent's premises and the 6th Respondents’ premises is respectively $1,218,691 and $586,371 giving rise to a ratio of respectively 2.948% and 1.419%.  In the second scenario (the use of the ground floor of the Building is non-domestic), the total EUV is $45,825,185 and the EUV of the 4th Respondent's premises and the 6th Respondents’ premises remains the same giving rise to a ratio of respectively 2.659% and 1.2796%. Mr Li submits that the Applicant is happy to adopt the higher ratio in the first scenario which is to the benefit of the 4th Respondent and the 6th Respondents.

45.Having considered Mr A Chan’s valuation, I agree with Mr Li’s submission and hold that the EUV of the Building should be determined on the assumption that all the units are for domestic use, as shown in the first scenario of the Knight Frank Revised EUV Report.

46.In Best Insight Limited (勤正有限公司) v. the Estate of Tin Hing Lin (田興蓮) (deceased) & Others (LDCS 5000/2011, 5 September 2011, unreported), when the expert for the applicant has revised his EUV valuation, the Tribunal holds that under

"section 10 of the Ordinance, the apportionment between the majority owner and the minority owners of the Lot shall be on the basis as specified in Part 3 of Schedule 1 of the Ordinance.  Under the said Schedule, the proceeds are to be apportioned on the basis of the EUV as determined by this Tribunal". (para 15). 

47.The 4th Respondent and the 6th Respondents have not filed any expert report.  I am satisfied that the EUV of Mr A Chan is fair and reasonable.  I hold that the proceeds are to be apportioned on the basis of the first scenario of the Knight Frank Revised EUV Report determined by me as follows: