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Two women and one company were fined $1,000, $1,000 and $2,000 respectively at the Eastern Magistrates' Court today (January 8) for contravening the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.
The court heard that officers of the Home Affairs Department's Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), disguised as customers, reserved a room on Lantau Island in June last year through an agent and paid the rent for one night. After arriving at the reserved premises, the officers were led to other premises and rented a room equipped with sleeping accommodation.
The premises were managed and operated by the two women and the company. Both women admitted that the guesthouses were operated without a license.
According to OLA's record, both premises did not have a valid certificate of exemption or a license as required under Section 5(2) of the ordinance on the inspection day.
A department spokesman said it was a criminal offence to operate or manage unlicensed guesthouses and that enforcement action would continue to be taken against them to ensure the safety of lodgers. He also appealed to the public to report unlicensed guesthouses to the OLA on 2881 7498.
Ends/Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:41
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