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Police charges, fines for dangerous home DIY

By Cui Xiaohuo (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-14 07:55

Homeowners may be charged by police if illegal decorations destroy the building's structure, Beijing's local construction and police authorities said yesterday.

The illegal practice of removing main structures or supporting walls in civilian buildings can lead to the crime of endangering public security if severe damage is verified, according to a new directive on civilian house improvements which took effect on Jan 1.

Minor offenders may also be detained and can face fines of up to 100,000 yuan, according to the statement released yesterday by the Beijing municipal commission of housing and urban-rural development and the public security bureau.

While there are no buildings in Beijing currently listed as "dangerous premises", authorities said the new rule is a preventative measure in the booming housing market.

"An early warning to private owners is certainly useful," said Shi Lan, vice-chairman of the Beijing Construction Decoration Association, supervising decoration firms citywide.

The association said 70 percent of the complaints it received last year originated from minor illegal practices by homeowners on improvements. None of the 400 complaints have brought about major concerns on building safety, the association said.

But Zou Gongfu, a lawyer with the Beijing Lawyers Association, expected disputes to emerge as more homeowners seek to make maximum use of their private space.

"That's why we want them to understand that they can't hurt the interests of people living under the same roof as them," Zou said. "These principles are written in the Property Law."

Zhang Nongke, vice-chairman of the housing and urban-rural development commission, also said the rule will help homeowners better identify private and public rights on their properties.

"We will further clarify the legal responsibilities of private property owners with more rules like this in the future, so they don't just know their rights but also their obligations," Zhang said.