Unlicensed guesthouse operator fined
************************************ A man was convicted and fined $3,500 at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court today (August 24) for operating an unlicensed guesthouse in Tsim Sha Tsui.
The Court heard that in March this year, officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), Home Affairs Department (HAD), inspected the premises on Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Six rooms each equipped with sleeping accommodation and a daily rental guest were found at the scene.
The operator admitted that he was the owner of the premises and responsible for managing the guestrooms. He was subsequently charged for operating a guesthouse without a valid certificate of exemption or a valid licence under the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.
An HAD spokesman stressed that it was a criminal offence to operate or manage an unlicensed guesthouse.
The spokesman reiterated that unlicensed guesthouse would not be tolerated and enforcement action would continue to be taken against them to ensure the safety of lodgers.
He appealed to the public to report unlicensed guesthouses to the OLA on 2881 7498.
************************************ A man was convicted and fined $3,500 at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court today (August 24) for operating an unlicensed guesthouse in Tsim Sha Tsui.
The Court heard that in March this year, officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), Home Affairs Department (HAD), inspected the premises on Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui. Six rooms each equipped with sleeping accommodation and a daily rental guest were found at the scene.
The operator admitted that he was the owner of the premises and responsible for managing the guestrooms. He was subsequently charged for operating a guesthouse without a valid certificate of exemption or a valid licence under the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.
An HAD spokesman stressed that it was a criminal offence to operate or manage an unlicensed guesthouse.
The spokesman reiterated that unlicensed guesthouse would not be tolerated and enforcement action would continue to be taken against them to ensure the safety of lodgers.
He appealed to the public to report unlicensed guesthouses to the OLA on 2881 7498.
Ends/Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Issued at HKT 16:37
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