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Two women were convicted of contravening the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance and fined $3,000 each at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (July 19).
The court heard that officers of the Licensing Authority(OLA), Home Affairs Department conducted two inspections against a suspected unlicensed guesthouse in January and April this year on Lai Chi Kok Road, Mong Kok.
The officers found that the guesthouse comprised 11 rooms on two floors and all were equipped with sleeping facilities. Some guests claimed that they had paid daily rent for the rooms.
The two women admitted under caution that they were temporary staff of the unlicensed guesthouse and responsible for managing the premises. They were subsequently charged with contravening Section 5(1) of the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.
A department spokesman stressed that it was a criminal offence to operate an unlicensed guesthouse.
The spokesman reiterated that unlicensed guesthouses would not be tolerated and enforcement action would be taken against them to ensure the safety of patrons of these establishments.
He also appealed to the public to report unlicensed guesthouses to the OLA at 2881 7498.
Ends/Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:51
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