Licensing of Hotels, Guesthouses, Clubs, Bedspace Apartments and Karaoke Establishments

The policy objective of Home Affairs Bureau is to regulate fire and building safety of hotels, guesthouses, clubs , bedspace apartments and karaoke establishments through implementation of statutory licensing schemes.

Background

The Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance (Cap. 349), Clubs (Safety of Premises) Ordinance (Cap. 376), Bedspace Apartments Ordinance (Cap. 447) and Karaoke Establishments Ordinance, (Cap. 573) provide for statutory licensing schemes to regulate fire and building safety of hotels, guesthouses, clubs , bedspace apartments and karaoke establishments respectively. Licences, certificates of compliance or permits will be issued or renewed to those meeting the statutory safety standards in respect of fire safety, building safety, health and hygiene.

The Office of the Licensing Authority of Home Affairs Department is responsible for the enforcement of the four Ordinances.

Appeal Boards

Any person who is aggrieved by a decision of the licensing authority (i.e. the Secretary for Home Affairs) in respect of the licensing matter of hotels/guesthouses, club-houses and bedspace apartments may appeal to the Appeal Board (Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation), Appeal Board (Clubs (Safety of Premises)) and Appeal Board (Bedspace Apartments) respectively. Membership of the three Appeal Boards is identical as follows -

Chairman

Mr LAM Ken-chung, Simon

Non-official Members

Ms KO Kit-ying, Patra

Mr CHAN Kwok-hung, Kenny

Ms CHEUNG Han-chu, Diana

Mr LEE Chi-hang, Sidney

Mr LI Hon-hung

Mr NGAN Siu-lun

Ir Dr WONG King

Mr CHAN Chiu-ming

Ms CHAN Yuk-ping, Helen

Miss CHUNG Ching-may

Ms KWAN Po-jen, Helen

Ms LEUNG Sum-tuen, Cynthia

Mr LEUNG Wai-keung, Richard

Ms LO Yee-tak, Ellen

On the licensing matter of karaoke establishments, any person who is aggrieved by a decision of the licensing authority may appeal to the Administrative Appeals Board.

HAD's Singleton Hostel Programme

In addition, to ensure that no displaced bedspace apartment lodgers will be rendered homeless because of the implementation of the statutory licensing scheme, Home Affairs Department is running a singleton hostel programme to provide alternate accommodation to displaced lodgers under 60 years of age. As at 1.4.2010, the singleton hostel programme has an intake capacity of 580 places.