To curb rise in illegal structures, hold building professionals accountable

News that the authorities are investigating possible unauthorised rooftop structures at two private residential developments in Haig Avenue has shone a spotlight on those who undertake these illegal building works.

- Joyce Lim

The Straits Times reported in September that the authorities were looking into the case of home owners at the Rose Maison and EiS Residences who had built enclosed rooms on the open rooftop of the two private apartment blocks. It is unclear whether building plans for the rooftop structures had been submitted for approval.

The number of unauthorised structures investigated by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has risen over the years. Between 2020 and 2023, it investigated an average of 120 such cases each year. This was more than double the 57 cases per year (or 170 cases in total) from 2016 to 2018.

But BCA pointed out that the latest figures mostly involve structures like ground-floor shelters or roof covers that do not impact a building's structure. Unauthorised addition and alteration works are a serious issue.

BCA has said unauthorised structures could pose a grave danger to the building's occupants. This is because such structures might not have been checked and certified by a professional engineer who can ensure the building is structurally safe.

Yet reports of unauthorised structures continue to make headlines and industry players say it is a prevalent practice, more often than not seen in landed properties.

Safety issues aside, property owners who put up unauthorised structures often do so without paying the authorities the required fees.