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A woman was convicted and fined $10,000 at the Eastern Magistrates' Court today (December 12) for operating an unlicensed guesthouse in Causeway Bay.
The Court heard that an officer of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), Home Affairs Department, disguised as a visitor, had reserved a room on daily basis at the guesthouse in Cleveland Street, Causeway Bay in July this year.
Investigation revealed that there were four rooms in the guesthouse furnished with sleeping accommodation and available for rent. The woman admitted that the guesthouse was operating without a certificate of exemption or a licence. She was subsequently charged under Section 5 of the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.
A department spokesman stressed that it was a criminal offence to operate an unlicensed guesthouse and enforcement action would continue to be taken against them to ensure the safety of lodgers. He also appealed to the public to report unlicensed guesthouses to the OLA at 2881 7498.
Ends/Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:46
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