Landlord licence dodger fined

A PRIVATE landlord has been fined £20,000 for renting out a house without a licence.  New regulations came into force last year that require houses of 3 storey’s or more and occupied by 5 or more unrelated people to be licensed through the city council.

Philip Borg Olivier, of Commutation Plaza, Back Commutation Row, L3, was successfully prosecuted at Liverpool Magistrates Court in the first case of its type to be brought by the city council.  He was found guilty on 2 counts in relation to a property on Wellfield Road, L9 and also ordered to pay £250 costs.

The legislation was introduced following recent government research that showed people living in these types of property are 16 times more likely to die or be injured in a fire than people living in a single occupancy house. In some areas in Liverpool this risk increases to 30 times and the law is designed to raise standards.

Councillor Marilyn Fielding, executive member for housing, said:- “This case sends out a serious message to landlords that they must make sure they comply with the law.  We will take robust enforcement action against all owners who ignore licensing.  My advice to owners is to apply for a licence now or be prepared to face the consequences.”

The city council has received nearly 500 applications for properties in Liverpool and will continue to take action against landlords who do not apply for a licence.   The legislation was introduced as part of the Housing Act 2004 and became law in April 2006.

John Kelly, Executive Director of Regeneration, added:- “We are determined to do all we can to protect the interests of tenants and will not hesitate to take action against landlords who do not have a licence.  They have no excuse as this legislation has been widely publicised, locally and nationally.”

An enforcement moratorium was in place until July 2006, and during this period Liverpool City Council ran publicity campaigns to raise awareness of the new regulations and has provided information and assistance to any landlord who has requested it.

Applications forms can be downloaded from the Liverpool Council Website.

The forms can be submitted to any one stop shop, or by post to:-

Liverpool City Council
Public Protection Division
Municipal Buildings
Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2DH

NORTH WEST WORKERS VOTE - BRING BACK THE TEA TROLLEY

WORKERS in the North West agree that old fashioned traditions such as the tea trolley made their office a more sociable (46%) and relaxed (60%) place to work. What’s more, a quarter (25%) believe these customs made them more motivated.  The research conducted by Office Angels, polled 1,067 office workers nationwide about office traditions they would love to bring back and ones they’re happier without.

The findings discovered that while today’s workers are in favour of up to date technology for speed and ease, personal 1-to-1 communication and the home comforts found in the offices of a decade ago, are greatly missed.

Top traditions workers in the North West back to bring back:-

1. Taking a full hour for your lunch break (47%)

2. Annual ‘works outing’ (34%)

3. Pub lunches - that last all afternoon! (29%)

4. The tea lady with her trolley full of sticky buns and afternoon delights (24%)

5. Working 9 ‘til 5 (23%)

6. The sandwich man coming into the office with his selection of lunchtime treats (22%)

However, the research shows that there are some office traditions which are best forgotten. The majority (91%) are in agreement that smoking in the office is an element of office life that they don’t miss at all. As is the custom of bringing your partner or spouse to the Christmas party. Results from the survey showed that nearly all employees (93%) like to keep their work life and home life as separate as possible.

The trend for sleek, health conscious offices and high-tech working environments has led to a new wave of modern day ‘office traditions’, some of which workers in the North West would be glad to see the back of:-

1 Long working hours (47%)

2 The unsociable habit of eating lunch at your desk (48%)

3 Open plan offices (40%)

4 Team bonding days (48%)

5 Lack of ‘face time’ as conference calls, email and the blackberry take over (30%)

Commenting on the results, David Clubb, Managing Director of Office Angels states:- “Office traditions will inevitably change and develop over time, with the different demands placed on staff and their working situations. However, while the current office environment is very technology driven and fast paced this doesn’t have to mean soulless or unfriendly. Employees should be encouraged to interact with each other and could even create their own ‘traditions’, such as team lunches or a 3pm tea break.”