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Regarding recent reports on plans to introduce "capsule-like accommodation" into the local hostel and guesthouse market, the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) of the Home Affairs Department reminded all operators to abide by the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance (Cap 349) and the Bedspace Apartments Ordinance (Cap 447).
The Chief Officer of the OLA, Mr Yu Tak-cheung, said the OLA had received a related enquiry earlier. According to the information provided by the enquirer, there was no proof that the "capsule-like" layout design provided could comply with the provisions in the relevant ordinances. The OLA has not received so far any licence application for "capsule-like" guesthouse or bedspace apartment.
He said, "The Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance and the Bedspace Apartments Ordinance aim to ensure that premises concerned comply with the required structural and fire safety standards, so as to ensure the safety of occupants as well as other residents and visitors of the building.
"The general licensing requirements have taken into account various important factors. For example, rooms for sleeping accommodation should have headroom not less than 2.5 metres, be provided with adequate natural lighting and ventilation, and comply with the requirements on fire resisting constructions and means of escape. On fire safety, the subject premises must be provided with fire service installations and equipment as laid down in the fire safety requirements with regard to the design of and materials used in the premises. On structural safety, the premises should have adequate load bearing capacity for any loading imposed. The structural stability of additional steel supporting frames in the premises should also be taken into consideration."
According to the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance, "hotel" and "guesthouse" mean any premises the occupier, proprietor or tenant of which provides sleeping accommodation at a fee for any person with a tenancy term of less than 28 consecutive days.
Under the Bedspace Apartments Ordinance, "Bedspace apartment" means any flat in which there are 12 or more bedspaces used as sleeping accommodation for individuals under rental agreements.
Breaching the above ordinances is a criminal offence. Any person who operates unlicensed hotels or guesthouses is liable on conviction to a fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for two years, and a fine of $20,000 for each day during which the offence continues.
Any person who operates unlicensed bedspace apartments is liable on conviction to a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years, and a fine of $20,000 for each day during which the offence continues.
Ends/Friday, January 6, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:58
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