Unlicensed guesthouse operator fined
************************************ A woman was convicted and fined $5,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (August 30) for operating an unlicensed guesthouse in North Point.
The court heard that officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), Home Affairs Department(HAD), inspected the premises on Java Road, North Point, in December last year. Five rooms equipped with sleeping accommodation and promotion pamphlets indicating room rates of the premises were found. Three of the lodgers at the scene realised that they were tenants of the rooms.
The operator admitted that she operated the guesthouse without a Certificate of Exemption or a licence and was subsequently charged under Section 5 of 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 people to report unlicensed guesthouses to the OLA on 2881 7498.
************************************ A woman was convicted and fined $5,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (August 30) for operating an unlicensed guesthouse in North Point.
The court heard that officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), Home Affairs Department(HAD), inspected the premises on Java Road, North Point, in December last year. Five rooms equipped with sleeping accommodation and promotion pamphlets indicating room rates of the premises were found. Three of the lodgers at the scene realised that they were tenants of the rooms.
The operator admitted that she operated the guesthouse without a Certificate of Exemption or a licence and was subsequently charged under Section 5 of 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 people to report unlicensed guesthouses to the OLA on 2881 7498.
Ends/Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Issued at HKT 11:15
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