Hong Kong Hotel/Guesthouse License Application Guide

Hong Kong Hotel/Guesthouse License Application Guide

Property use · Deed of Mutual Covenant review · Fire compliance · Efficient licensing

Hong Kong Hotel/Motel License is based onHong Kong Hotels and Hotels Ordinance (Chapter 349), The Office of the Licensing Authority under the Hong Kong Home Affairs and Youth Affairs Bureau, Business license reviewed and issued by OLA, After approval, you can operate a hotel in Hong Kong in accordance with the law., hostel, Homestay, Serviced accommodation and short-term rental accommodation business. The applicant organization must comply with the purpose of the property, fire safety, Building structure, Ventilation facilities, Regulatory requirements such as escape arrangements and ongoing compliance, It is an important access qualification for legally conducting accommodation business..

Hong Kong Huitong provides full-process application consulting services for Hong Kong hotel/hotel licenses, Includes property compliance assessment, Business structure planning, Application document preparation, Floor plan review, Fire protection and building requirements coordination, Communication and follow-up with government departments and follow-up compliance consultation, etc., Assist customers to complete the approval process efficiently, Steadyly obtained the qualification to operate accommodation business in Hong Kong.

 

Release time: Application preparation reference
Hong Kong Huitong service teamApply for support
Document preparation and project coordination
work focus: business needs, Document consistency and matters to be confirmed
Service direction: Business description, Sorting out application materials and ongoing compliance matters
Service Description: Organize disclosure regulatory requirements based on proposed business operations, Material list and project nodes. Involving legal opinions, During audit or professional assurance, The corresponding professionals and service scope should be confirmed separately.; Competent agencies and banks make independent review decisions.
Familiar with the regulatory application process
Professional compliance team
Standardized compliance process
Multi-jurisdictional services

1. license plate definition

According to the Hotel and Hotel Industry Ordinance (Chapter 349), Rental period available as shown somewhereStay less than 28 consecutive daysto any person visiting the premises who is willing to pay for the accommodation, The premises is a hotel or guesthouse.

The following premises are subject to control:

  • hotel
  • Hotel (generally)
  • Hotel (holiday camp)
  • Hotel (holiday home)

The government regulatory authorities are: BD (Buildings Department), FSD (Fire Services Department), OLA (Office of Licensing)

Hong Kong Huitong Tips: Many mainland and overseas investors do not understand Hong Kong’s Building Ordinance and fire protection regulations., I signed a death contract only to find out that the bunk can't play cards at all.. our mission, Just before you sign the lease, Eliminate deadly landmines for you.

香港宾馆和酒店
Hong Kong Guesthouses and Hotels

2. Which license is suitable for you to apply for? The difference between a hotel and a hotel license:

1, License application conditions 1 minute self-test table

Assessment project your actual situation (Please check) Hong Kong Huitong Pro Tips
1. What type of property does your property belong to? □ Residential buildings
□ Comprehensive use / commercial building
□ New Territories rural village house
□ Industrial Building (industrial building)
⚠️ If you select "Industrial Building": No way!

Strict regulations of the Buildings Department and Fire Services Department, It is absolutely prohibited to convert industrial buildings into hotels/hotels, Please avoid pitfalls and stop losses immediately.

2. What is the approximate salable area of ​​the premises? Approximately ________ square feet (sq.ft) The size of the area directly determines the upper limit of room division., Fire escape design and configuration standards for fire protection systems (such as automatic sprinkler systems).
3. Building Deed of Mutual Covenant (DMC) Does it state "purely residential"? □ Yes (commercial/hotel use expressly prohibited)
□ No (no relevant restrictions)
□ Not sure (requires professional consultant to check on your behalf)
core red line: 2020After the amendment, If the deed of mutual covenant has relevant restrictions, The licensing supervisor has the right to directly refuse to issue a license. Always check before signing a lease!

 

2, Hotel license categories and pitfall avoidance guidelines

Type of license to be applied for Applicable property types core compliance conditions (The key to being able to deal cards) Hong Kong Huitong Pro Tips
hotel license Premises approved by the Building Authority for "hotel use" A parking pick-up and drop-off area must be provided, Central air conditioning, Central hot water system and accessible rooms. The highest threshold, Usually involves whole-building renovation or new construction. It takes a long time in the early stage to submit plans for approval with the Buildings Department (BD).
Hotel (generally) license residential building, or the “residential portion” of a mixed-use building 1. Building Deed of Mutual Covenant (DMC) Absolutely no "residential only" or "no commercial/hotel" restrictions.

2. A 24-hour dedicated reception counter must be set up (or an approved alternative).

market most common. The biggest landmines are the "building deed of mutual covenant" and "residents' objections". Before signing the lease, Be sure to ask professional consultants to search the records, Otherwise, if you rent a shop, you will never get a license..
Hotel (holiday home) license New Territories rural village house The hotel use must have been accepted and certified by the Lands Department and the relevant District Lands Office. The biggest landmine is "unauthorized construction (illegal construction)". It is very easy for village houses to have glass rooftops, Expansion of balcony, etc., Must be completely dismantled or certified legal before the license can be released.
Hotel (holiday camp) license Residential or mixed-use buildings within campsites Comply with land plans for specific campsites, Building structure and fire protection standards. Projects belonging to specific locations, Before applying, you need to clarify whether there are any operating restrictions in the land lease terms..
🚫 Dealing of cards is absolutely prohibited
(Red Line Achilles' heel)
industrial building (industrial building), basement, Premises with unauthorized structures Zero tolerance legislation, Never deal. Never rent an industrial building as a B&B!Suspected of violating the Buildings Ordinance and Fire Services Act, Operating without a license is a serious criminal offense, If caught, the shop will be immediately sealed and prosecuted..
⚠️ General hardware requirements
(Applies to all license plates)
all legal premises 1. The clear height of guest rooms and passages shall not be less than 2.5 rice.
2. The room must have real windows (black rooms without windows cannot be used as guest rooms).
3. There must be at least two qualified fire escape stairs (single stairs are extremely difficult to approve).
Even if the property type is right, If the stairs are too narrow, The ceiling is too low or the room has no windows, Also unable to play cards. It is recommended that we do an on-site "planning and fire feasibility assessment" before signing a lease..

3, The difference between Hong Kong hotel VS hotel license

香港旅館 VS 酒店牌照的区别:
The difference between Hong Kong hotel VS hotel license:

 

3. Four major difficulties in applying for a hotel/hotel license in Hong Kong

🏛️

Building structure and spatial layout

The premises must be located in a non-industrial building, The clear height of guest rooms and passages is not less than 2.5 meters, Each guest room must have a window that opens directly to the open air and the area is not less than 1/10 of the floor area of ​​the room.. wall, Ceilings and fire doors must have a fire resistance rating (FRR) of not less than 1 hour.

🔥

fire safety system

Automatic sprinkler system must be installed, Manual fire alarm system and independent fire detector. Provide at least twoClear escape routes, The clear width of the passage is not less than 1.05 meters, Also equipped with emergency lighting and exit signs in Chinese and English. Cooking over open flames is strictly prohibited.

📜

Building Contract Compliance

The Deed of Mutual Covenant (DMC) of the building shall not have prohibited guesthouses, Commercial or residential use violations. 2020After the year revision, The supervisor has the right to directly refuse to issue a license due to restrictions in the deed of mutual covenant, Reasonable objections from residents may also be the basis for refusing to issue or imposing conditions..

🛡️

Fit and proper review and national security compliance

Applicants must pass background checks by the Police and the Official Receiver's Office, No relevant criminal conviction record, Not an undischarged bankrupt. Must ensure that activities on licensed premises never involve crimes endangering national security, Violation results in loss of license.

4. Application process for hotel/guesthouse license application in Hong Kong

Stage 1: Submission of application and preliminary review

Submit form HAD to the Licensing Office 133, Proof of identity, land search, Copy of the deed of mutual covenant of the building and 1:100floor plan. Licensing Office, Buildings Department and Fire Services Department conduct joint on-site inspection.

Stage 2: Issue notice of licensing conditions

After inspection, The Authority issues a Letter of Requirements, List the structural improvements to be completed, Fire protection modification project and required completion certificate (such as FS251 certificate).

Stage 3: Compliance project and final verification

Recruiting authorized persons (AP) and registered contractors for construction, Submit completion report upon completion, Each department conducts final inspection (Final Inspection).

Stage 4: Payment and license issuance

After passing the re-inspection and there are no legal obstacles, Pay legal fees. License validity can be from 12 to 84 months, Must apply for renewal 3 to 6 months before expiration.

5. List of information required for Hong Kong hotel/guesthouse license application

Completed application form HAD 133

Applicant’s identity document (copy of Hong Kong Identity Card or non-permanent resident travel document)

Land register of the premises (search) and copy of the deed of mutual covenant of the building

Scaled floor plan (Scale 1:100), Clear display of intervals, Exit and counter locations

Legal opinion issued by a practicing lawyer (certifying that the deed of mutual covenant has no restrictive provisions)

Copy of third-party public liability insurance policy (compensation amount not less than HK$10 million per accident)

Declaration of fitness and fitness (no relevant criminal convictions and bankruptcies)

Written approval/consent from the Building Authority (if the original use is not for domestic use)

Hong Kong Victoria Harbor and urban architecture
Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor and commercial buildings on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

6. License application fee

Number of rooms 12months 24months 36months 48months 60months 72months 84months
1-3 4,570 5,720 6,580 11,100 13,350 14,900 17,050
4-5 4,760 5,970 7,370 11,800 14,250 16,800 18,450
6-9 6,900 8,840 10,800 16,250 19,450 21,550 23,500
10-20 12,600 14,600 16,600 22,250 25,450 27,450 30,550
21-30 19,650 21,850 24,050 29,800 33,200 35,000 38,250
31-40 26,050 28,400 30,750 36,650 40,150 41,800 45,150
41-100 33,850+ 36,300+ 38,700+ 42,800+ 46,250+ 49,650+ 53,150+

* The above table is taken from the official data of the Hong Kong Licensing Office, over 40 Large hotel charges for rooms and above, please consult us. The amount is in Hong Kong dollars.

References: Licensing Office – Hotel license application fee

7. Legal consequences of illegal operation in Hong Kong hotel/hotel license application

Operating without a license is a criminal offence, Maximum fine of HK$500,000 and imprisonment for 2 years, and may be fined HK$20,000 for each day the offense continues..

Conviction records are registered in the Land Registry (deeds), Seriously affecting the future transfer and mortgage of the property.

Violation of the deed of mutual covenant of the building, Owners Corporation may apply for an injunction from the High Court, Compulsory business suspension and recovery of civil compensation.

Changing the separation of premises without prior approval, Maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for 2 years, and must be forced to restore.

Concealing a criminal record or making a false statement, It is a crime, and will lose the qualification to hold a license.

8. Hotel/hotel license validity period

License validity period Application conditions
12months Basic new license plate, No additional special requirements.
>12to 36 months The applicant must have been managing the premises or other licensed guesthouses as a licensee within 12 months before application, and has not violated any licensing conditions or received a warning letter during this period.
>36to 84 months Premises must be purpose-built for hotel/guesthouse use (Building Authority occupation permit or alteration approval obtained). The licensee is required to submit a building and fire safety certificate signed by an authorized person (AP) every year.

9. Hong Kong Hotel/Motel License Application FAQ

10. Related government website information

1, General Guidelines for Application for Hotel License and Guesthouse License-Home Affairs Department-Licensing Office

2, Licensed hotel / Hotel search-Licensing Office

3, Hotel and Hotel Industry Ordinance-License Application Form-GovHK Hong Kong Government One-Stop Portal

4, License renewal application form-Licensing Office

5, rural areas, Hotel License Application Guidelines-Environment and Ecology Bureau

 

 

11. Hong Kong hotel industry information

1, Hong Kong hotels are packed during Christmas season, House prices doubled on Christmas Eve - Hong Kong Wenhui.com 2025-12-22

2, Civil Affairs Bureau inspects 48 hotels in prosperous districts, 6Involving unlicensed operations, 2Involved in licensing violation-Hong Kong 01 2025-12-24

3, Licensing Office of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, In response to the Mainland’s Labor Day Golden Week, efforts are being made to crack down on unlicensed hotels/guesthouses-2026May 12, 2020 GovHK Hong Kong Government One-Stop

4, May Day Golden Week | 98Thousands of mainland tourists will flock to Hong Kong, and hotel booking rates have exceeded 90% - 2026-04-26 Hong Kong Wenhui.com

12. Hong Kong Hotel License-Sample

香港旅館牌照
Hong Kong hotel license

13. Premises conditions to check before signing a lease

Review the terms of the government land grant or lease first, Deed of Mutual Covenant of Building and Approved Use of Premises; License application accepted, does not mean that these private or land use restrictions have been resolved.

Check the current floor plan with the plans approved by the Buildings Department, Identify unauthorized construction, Illegal modifications and changes of use, And evaluate whether the rectification will affect the rentable area and number of rooms.

Before signing an irrevocable long-term lease, Have means of escape assessed by a qualified person, fire-resistant partitions, fire fighting equipment, Ventilation and accessibility; Specific requirements are subject to the licensing conditions issued by the case..

Overview of hotel licenses according to the Licensing Office, Providing paid accommodation for less than 28 consecutive days falls within the scope of hotel regulations; No business should be opened until a formal license is issued.

14. Key points to check on premises before signing a lease

The premises conditions of a hotel or guest house license should be checked before signing the contract, include uses, Firefighting, Building and planning restrictions, Breaking arrangements and supporting documentation available; Oral promises from owners alone are not sufficient to prove that a license can be issued in the future.

Applicants should bring fire protection, house, The division of responsibilities for food or other special approvals is written into the project list, The on-site requirements and written responses from relevant government departments shall prevail., The approval of one department should not be regarded as the approval of all licenses.

15. Relevant regulations, Regulatory information and further reading