Licensing

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

The policy objective of Home and Youth Affairs Bureau is to regulate fire and building safety of hotels and guesthouses, club-houses, 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 and guesthouses, club-houses, 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 and Youth 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 –

Convenor / Chairman

Mr YIP Tik-bun, Micky

Non-official Members

Mr AU Sai-cheung, Jason
Mr CHENG Chun-man, Ian
Ms CHENG Hui-kiu, Kelly
Ms CHONG Chui-shan, Katina
Ms CHOW Tik-hei, Dacy
Ms HO Ka-man
Ms HUANG Yaqi, Bridget
Ms KONG Cheuk-chi, Van
Mr LAM Chi-tsun, Julian
Ms LAM Wing-yan, Sophia
Mr LAU Kai-king
Mr LEE Lai-ting, Samson
Ms LEE Sze-man, Sunny
Ms LEE Wing-cheung, Virginia
Mr LEUNG Chun-fung
Ms SIT Donna Tsz-shan
Mr SUEN Eliott Hancock
Ms WONG Ping-fan, M.H.
Mr WONG Wai-shing
Mr WONG Wai-yue, M.H.
Ms Yasmine ZAHIR

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.