Conviction case of unlicensed operation of "student hostel"
An operator of an unlicensed "student hostel" was convicted today (July 22) at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts of contravening the Bedspace Apartments Ordinance (Cap. 447) (the Ordinance).
Officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA) under the Home Affairs Department (HAD) conducted an inspection in March this year at a premises located in Kowloon Tong, and discovered an unlicensed bedspace apartment equipped with bedspaces being used as sleeping accommodation under rental agreements. After investigation, the OLA obtained sufficient evidence and instituted prosecution. The operator concerned pleaded guilty to operating a bedspace apartment without a certificate of exemption or a licence, in contravention of sections 5(1) and 6(a) of the Ordinance.
A spokesman said, "The OLA is committed to combatting unlicensed bedspace apartments to safeguard the safety of occupants and other users of the building. Recently, there are premises in the market self-styled as 'student hostels' or 'student residences', some of which involve 12 or more bedspaces used or intended to be used for accommodation under rental agreements, and are thus regulated by the Ordinance. Under the Ordinance, any premises containing 12 or more bedspaces that are used or intended to be used as sleeping accommodation under rental agreements requires a bedspace apartment licence before commencing operation. Operating an unlicensed bedspace apartment is a criminal offence."
The OLA attaches great importance to the issue of unlicensed bedspace apartments and will continue to adopt a multipronged approach to combat unlicensed bedspace apartments through continuous enforcement, stepped-up enforcement efforts, and extensive publicity. Upon receiving reports or complaints, officers of the OLA will conduct investigations into the premises concerned, and will take enforcement and prosecution actions when sufficient evidence is found. The OLA has also strengthened its intelligence-gathering work, including proactively conducting inspections, gathering relevant intelligence through various channels, establishing a notification mechanism with District Offices to obtain information on suspected unlicensed bedspace apartments, and continuing joint interdepartmental operations with other law enforcement agencies to combat unlicensed bedspace apartments. From 2021 to date, the OLA has instituted 12 prosecutions against unlicensed bedspace apartments, and all cases have resulted in convictions.
Source: AI-found images
SEE continues visit to Qinghai
The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, continued his visit to Qinghai yesterday (July 21) and today (July 22).
Mr Tse first visited the Talatan photovoltaic industrial park yesterday, which is the first 10 million kilowatt-class solar power generation base on the Mainland. Leveraging rich solar and hydro resources in the area, the industrial park has built the "highest capacity solar power facility" and the "highest capacity hydro-solar power station" in the world respectively, and has successfully integrated photovoltaic power generation with ecological management of desertification. It assists locals in shepherding, improves the local ecological environment while promoting clean energy development.
On the afternoon of the same day, Mr Tse visited the Qinghai Lake National Park and the biodiversity conservation centre at Qinghai Lake to learn about the conservation work of plateau species, under the principles of scientific research and monitoring, rescue and breeding, and study-tour experience, as well as the maintenance of the unique ecosystem of plateau wetlands through ecological restoration.
Mr Tse first visited Gangshka Snow Peak in the Qilian Mountains this morning to learn about the "Leave No Trace" hiking mechanism for protecting local glacier and snow mountain ecosystems, with a view to balancing ecological protection with moderate tourism development. The delegation then visited the Qilian Mountain National Park Ecological Science Museum to learn about the development history of national parks across the globe and on the Mainland. They also gained a deeper understanding of the rich ecosystems, ecological value, biodiversity, scientific research and monitoring of the Qilian Mountain National Park, as well as its practical experience in promoting ecological protection education.
The valuable experience of Qinghai Province in successfully integrating green technology, new energy and ecological industries upholds the nation's key concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets". This visit helps Hong Kong to more actively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan as the city advances its comprehensive green transition and formulates its First Five-Year Plan, thereby supporting the nation to achieve high-quality development.
Mr Tse will conclude his visit in Qinghai and return to Hong Kong tomorrow (July 23).
SEE continues visit to Qinghai Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SEE continues visit to Qinghai Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SEE continues visit to Qinghai Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SEE continues visit to Qinghai Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SEE continues visit to Qinghai Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SEE continues visit to Qinghai Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
