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A man was convicted and fined $2,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (February 28) for managing a holiday flat without a license or certificate of exemption in Cheung Chau.
The court heard that in August and September last year, officers of the Home Affairs Department's (HAD) Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) conducted decoy operations against unlicensed holiday flats in Cheung Chau. The officers disguised as guests and successfully rented unlicensed holiday flats in the villa through an agency in Mong Kok or with the flats' keeper.
The man was subsequently charged under Section 5(1) of the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance with managing a holiday flat without a valid licence.
An HAD spokesman stressed that it was a criminal offence to operate or manage an unlicensed holiday flat.
He said that unlicensed holiday flats would not be tolerated and enforcement action would be taken against them to ensure the safety of patrons of these establishments.
He also appealed to the public to report unlicensed holiday flats to the OLA at 2881 7498.
Ends/Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:10
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