| At the city licensing committee today, one application for a flat in Perth Road was refused and there was a demand for an in-depth study of the area to ascertain how many flats in Perth Road and streets leading off were designated multi-occupancy.
Councillor Joe Morrow said over-provision — particularly in Perth Road — of multi-occupancy flats was extremely significant, and the information they had on density was useless and incapable of helping councillors come to decisions.
The application, by Angela Stewart, for number 304a for a multiple occupation certificate was refused after councillors heard a number of points for rectification which had been raised in December hadn’t been resolved until last week.
Lord Provost John Letford said what was required was a survey and a map to enable councillors to come to an informed decision in terms of overprovision.
Committee chairman Bruce Mackie said a number of streets leading off Perth Road were at saturation point with multi occupational flats — which are mainly used by students — and he agreed a survey on density was essential in order to allow councillors to make a balanced judgment.
Councillor Neil Powrie said in the present case there had been a number of contraventions in terms of what had been required of the landlord which were very serious, and which referred to health and safety and fire issues, and the applicant had not demonstrated she was a fit and proper person.
He said the legislation on multiple occupancy had been brought in because of deaths in premises where landlords in the past did not have to be registered, or had not met requirements of health and safety.
He said the committee should take very seriously any breaches of the regulations.
Councillor Mackie said there would soon be a multi occupancy seminar being held by the council, and urged all members to attend, since it would enable the councillor to take more informed decisions. |
