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A man was convicted and fined $3,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (July 17) for operating an unlicensed guesthouse in Causeway Bay.
The court heard that officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), Home Affairs Department, met two daily rental guests when they inspected a unit in Paterson Street, Causeway Bay in March this year.
The man, who was the guesthouse operator, alleged that he did not understand the requirements under the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance (HAGAO) and he rented out the rooms to his friends and relatives.
According to the OLA's record, the guesthouse did not possess a certificate of exemption or a licence as required under Section 5(2) of the HAGAO.
A department spokesman stressed that enforcement action would continue to be taken against unlicensed guesthouse operation to ensure the safety of lodgers. He appealed to the public to report unlicensed guesthouses to the OLA on 2881 7498.
Ends/Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:00
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