What about what counts as a hotel or guesthouse?

The Ordinance treats premises as a "hotel" or "guesthouse" if they are held out as providing sleeping accommodation to people who present themselves and are willing to pay a fee, whether in person or through an agent, with or without a prior booking. OLA's 2020 letter adds that premises in which all accommodation is provided for 28 continuous days or more for each letting are excluded from the Ordinance.

What about four licence types?

A guesthouse may not use the word "Hotel" or the Chinese equivalent in its business name.

What about the requirements?

Under the refined licensing regime that started on 1 December 2020, an application has to satisfy:

What about applying, renewing and transferring?

Forms are free from OLA at 10th Floor, 14 Taikoo Wan Road, Taikoo Shing, and downloadable from the Home Affairs Department site. Fees depend on the number of rooms and the licence validity period, and apply to applications, renewals, transfers and endorsements. A renewal application must be made between 6 months and 3 months before the licence ends, unless the Authority accepts a good reason for lateness. A transferee must meet the fit and proper requirement.

What about penalties?

Operating without a valid licence is an offence: a maximum fine of HK$500,000, up to 3 years in prison, and a further HK$20,000 a day for a continuing offence. Under the 2020 amendments owners and tenants (people with exclusive possession, not guests) are criminally liable unless they have a statutory defence. A second conviction within 16 months for the same premises can lead to a court closure order of 6 months, and a notice can be registered in the Land Registry.

What about what the documents do not say?

They do not state the licence period, the fees, processing times, or any rule on platform listings or foreign ownership. For global listings, assume you must hold the licence before publishing.

Can I rent my flat for a weekend on a booking site?

Only with a licence. Short lets under 28 continuous days fall inside the Ordinance, and operating unlicensed carries up to HK$500,000 and 3 years.

Is there an exemption for stays of a month or more?

OLA's letter says premises where all accommodation is provided for 28 continuous days or more for each letting are excluded.

What is the penalty for an unlicensed guesthouse?

A fine up to HK$500,000, up to 3 years in prison, and HK$20,000 per day for a continuing offence.

Do I need my neighbours' consent?

Not formally. There is a local consultation whose recommendations are not binding, but they can influence the decision.

How much does the licence cost?

The documents we read say fees depend on room count and validity period, but do not give amounts. Ask OLA.

What about once you are licensed?

Registration makes you legal. Distribution is a separate job. Fursat's own guest stays are in India, so we do not list homes in Hong Kong, but if you also own or manage property in India you can start at /list-your-property, and our free channel manager explains how calendar sync across booking sites works. For the basics of the Indian system, read How to Start a Homestay in India. For a neighbouring regime written the same way, see How to Start a Homestay in Nepal.

Journal/Homestay Guides

5 min read · 7 October 2026

How to Get a Guesthouse Licence in Hong Kong (Short-Term Rentals)

Short lets in Hong Kong need a guesthouse licence from the Office of the Licensing Authority. Stays of 28 continuous days or more are excluded. Unlicensed operation risks HK$500,000 and 3 years.

Sneha Surana

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