XN000022-1995-05-03 — Page 13

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Temporary accommodation offered to tenants

Tenants of a Fuk Wa Street flat in Sham Shui Po have been offered temporary accommodation in a transit centre in Ma On Shan after electricity supply to their premises was cut off before the owner repossesses the premises.

The tenants sought help today (Wednesday) from the Sham Shui Po District Officer, Ms Linda Lai, who explained that the assistance was being offered to the tenants despite the fact that the premises was not a bedspace apartment.

Ms Lai said the Home Affairs Department's Licensing Authority conducted detailed inspections of the premises in March and found that it was being rented out on a room basis.

She pointed out that the operator of the premises was informed in writing by the Licensing Authority on March 13 that the premises was outside the scope of the Bedspace Apartments Ordinance.

Nevertheless, she advised the tenants with financial difficulties to approach the Social Welfare Department for assistance, which may include compassionate rehousing in deserving cases.

Ms Lai added that three cases had been referred by the Social Welfare Department to the Housing Department for consideration, with one case having been approved for compassionate rehousing while the two others still under consideration.

In response to the tenants' complaint on termination of their electricity supply, Ms Lai advised them to report the matter to the police as this might constitute a case of harassment under the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance.

A convicted offender would be liable to a fine of $500,000 and, on subsequent conviction, to imprisonment for 12 months.