**********************************************************
The Home Affairs Department (HAD) and the Police conducted a large-scale blitz inspection and law enforcement operation today (June 11) at Chungking Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui to ensure that licensed guesthouses are operating in compliance with the safety requirements, and to combat unlicensed guesthouse operation.
During today's special operation, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the HAD conducted a surprise inspection of 81 licensed guesthouses, of which 51 were found with minor irregularities and 23 rectified them immediately. The OLA also inspected a number of suspected unlicensed premises and successfully collected initial evidence of unlicensed operation in one premises.
The Chief Officer (Licensing Authority), Mr Winston Leung, said, "The large-scale joint operation today was very successful. The OLA is now examining the evidence gathered and prosecution will be made against the operator if there is sufficient evidence relating to unlicensed guesthouse activities.
"The OLA has been taking different law enforcement actions to combat unlicensed guesthouses, including mounting decoy operations during office hours and outside office hours as well as conducting blitz enforcement inspections from time to time," Mr Leung added. "We also proactively work with relevant departments in conducting large-scale inter-departmental operations at accommodation hotspots of visitors."
In 2012, the OLA conducted nearly 6 800 law enforcement operations targeting suspected unlicensed guesthouses and successfully took out 128 prosecutions, more than doubling the figures for 2011. As at the end of May this year, the OLA has conducted over 3 800 law enforcement operations.
"The OLA will continue to recruit more staff to tie in with the increase in large-scale law enforcement actions and blitz inspections of buildings. The OLA will also strengthen the effort to gather intelligence on the Internet," Mr Leung said.
He also appealed to the public to report accurate and detailed addresses of any suspected unlicensed guesthouses for follow-up enforcement actions.
To report any suspected unlicensed guesthouses, tourists or members of the public can dial the OLA hotline on (852) 2881 7498, send an email to hadlaeng@had.gov.hk, or download a report form from the OLA website www.hadla.gov.hk and return it by fax to (852) 2504 5805.
Operating an unlicensed guesthouse is a criminal offence. Any person who is convicted of operating an unlicensed guesthouse is liable to imprisonment and will receive a criminal record. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for two years, and a fine of $20,000 for each day during which the offence continues. In addition, the OLA will pass information on convicted cases to relevant government departments and organisations for their follow-up actions. They include the Rating and Valuation Department, the Inland Revenue Department, mortgage banks or monetary institutions, property owners, owners' corporations and management offices of the buildings. Should any property agent or insurance agent be convicted, the OLA will also pass the conviction records to the Estate Agents Authority or the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance for disciplinary action.
In addition to stepping up law enforcement action, the OLA will continue to enhance publicity efforts. Currently, the OLA requires all licensed guesthouses to display a logo at the main entrance and on the doors of all guestrooms for tourists' easy identification. Tourists may visit the OLA website (www.hadla.gov.hk) to view the full list of licensed hotels and guesthouses. The OLA has also appealed to visitors to choose licensed guesthouses by beefing up publicity on television and radio, and displaying banners and posters at major immigration control points and areas with suspected unlicensed guesthouses.
Ends/Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:52
NNNN
