Two men and a woman were fined from $4,000 to $8,000 at Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (May 29) for contravening the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.

     The courts heard that in October last year, officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), the Home Affairs Department, inspected three suspected unlicensed guesthouses on Des Voeux Road West in Sai Ying Pun, Bonham Strand and Bonham Strand West in Sheung Wan. During the inspections, the OLA officers posed as lodgers and successfully rented rooms in these guesthouses on a daily basis.

     According to the OLA's records, these guesthouses did not possess licences under the Ordinance on the days of inspection. The men and woman responsible for operating the premises were charged with contravening section 5(1) of the Ordinance.

     A department spokesman stressed that operating or managing an unlicensed guesthouse is a criminal offence and will lead to a criminal record. Upon conviction, the offender is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and two years' imprisonment.

     The spokesman appealed to anyone with information about suspected unlicensed guesthouses to report it to the OLA through the hotline (Tel: 2881 7498), by email (hadlaenq@had.gov.hk), by fax (2504 5805) using the report form downloaded from the OLA website (www.hadla.gov.hk), or through the mobile application "Hong Kong Licensed Hotels and Guesthouses".

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will set off tomorrow night (May 30) for Dublin, Ireland.
 
     During his stay, he will deliver a keynote speech at a seminar co-organised by Invest Hong Kong and Enterprise Ireland to promote co-operation between Hong Kong and Ireland in financial technologies and aircraft leasing business.
 
     He will also meet with senior government officials of Ireland as well as members of the banking and business sector to brief them on the latest developments of Hong Kong. 

     Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong in the morning of June 3.
 
     In his absence, the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, will act as Financial Secretary. 
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:

     The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) was briefed at a meeting today (May 29) by the Government on the implementation progress of various recommendations raised earlier by the Audit Commission on the regulation of non-franchised bus operation, and the progress of implementing the measures under the Public Transport Strategy Study (PTSS).

     The TAC Chairman, Mr Larry Kwok, said, "Members noted various recommendations on the operation of non-franchised buses raised by the Audit Commission as well as the Transport Department's latest implementation progress in this regard, in particular the measures to streamline the administration of the licensing requirements and strengthen the regulatory controls over unauthorised operations."

     As regards the implementation progress of measures under the PTSS, members noted that the Government completed the PTSS in June 2017 and has been actively taking forward 67 recommended measures under the study, of which 29 measures have been implemented, to enhance the arrangement of the public transport system.

     Mr Kwok said, "Members note that the Government will continue to actively take forward the remaining measures under the PTSS. The implementation of these measures will help reinforce the important roles played by public transport services other than heavy rail, while ensuring that the public can enjoy highly efficient, convenient and diversified public transport services."

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (May 30).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

     The Sales of First-hand Residential Properties Authority (SRPA) today (May 29) reminded prospective purchasers to check the amount of management fees and take this into consideration when assessing affordability before purchasing first-hand residential properties.

     "Prospective purchasers should be mindful that after purchasing first-hand residential properties, property owners will need to pay the management fee and its deposit amounting to the sum of two to three months' management fee on top of mortgage payments and other expenses. Prospective purchasers should also bear in mind that management fee expenses, which could be financially significant to some property owners, are subject to adjustments from time to time," an SRPA spokesman said.

     The Residential Properties (First-hand Sales) Ordinance does not require vendors to set out the amount of the management fee of each residential property in the sales brochure. For completed developments in which the residential properties are offered for sale, the Ordinance requires vendors to provide the amount that is payable for the residential property in the "Vendor's Information Form". This is because the exact amount of the management fee of an individual residential property will normally be confirmed upon completion.

     As the management fee is one of the issues that a prospective purchaser may consider before making a decision to buy a property, the SRPA has on various occasions encouraged vendors of uncompleted developments to provide the amount of (if available) or an estimated amount or range of the fee in publications or promotional materials other than the sales brochure for reference to prospective purchasers. Prospective purchasers are advised to check with vendors whether they can provide information on the amount of the management fee.

     In addition, the external wall finishes of a development may affect the management fee level. Certain external wall finishes may incur higher management and maintenance costs. The SRPA reminds prospective purchasers to check in the section of "fittings, finishes and appliances" in the sales brochure the type of finishes used for external walls of a development.

     If window wall and/or curtain wall form part of the external walls, prospective purchasers should note that extra expenses may be incurred for their inspection, cleaning, maintenance and repair as gondolas may be used to carry out such works. These additional expenses may have to be shared among the property owners as part of the management fee. Prospective purchasers should also check with vendors whether extra expenses and/or works would be required to maintain, repair or replace air-conditioners of the residential properties.

     "Purchasing a home is not a light issue. Prospective purchasers are advised to take into account every expense involved, including those payable after purchase, when assessing affordability," the spokesman stressed.