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Two women were convicted and fined $3,000 and $2,000 respectively at Kowloon City Magistrates' Court today (January 13) for managing unlicensed guesthouses and contravening the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.
The court heard that in July and August last year, officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), Home Affairs Department, inspected two suspected unlicensed guesthouses in Mong Kok. OLA officers were disguised as lodgers and rented guestrooms in these premises.
According to the OLA's records, the two guesthouses did not possess a valid certificate of exemption or a licence under the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance on the day of inspection. The female managers of the two unlicensed guesthouses were charged with contravening section 5(1) of the Hotel & Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.
A department spokesman stressed that it was a criminal offence to operate or manage an unlicensed guesthouse and enforcement action would continue to be taken against illegal guesthouse operations to ensure the safety of lodgers.
He appealed to the public to dial the OLA hotline (2881 7498), send e-mail (hadlaenq@had.gov.hk) or download a report form from the website www.hadla.gov.hk to report any suspected unlicensed guesthouses to the OLA.
Ends/Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:01
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