Lancashire landlord to be sentenced for seven different fire safety breaches
A professional landlord has pleaded guilty to multiple charges relating to fire safety. The breaches occurred at two locations in Ormskirk.
The importance of ensuring adequate fire safety measures in rented properties was brought into sharp focus by a high-profile case in Liverpool. An inspection by fire officers identified numerous breaches relating to inadequate or absent fire fighting and detection equipment, fire escape signs, emergency lighting and exit routes.
The charges were brought by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service against Timothy Reynolds, a professional landlord managing premises in the Ormskirk area of Liverpool, following inspections at a the Malthouse Business Centre, a former gymnasium, and the Buck I’th Vine, a disused public house.
Prohibition Notice
Both premises had been previously inspected and fire officers had issued a Prohibition Notice citing numerous non-compliances including the following:
- Inadequate fire fighting equipment
- Absence of fire detection equipment
- Inadequate fire protection for escape routes
- Inadequate emergency lighting
- Locked doors on exit routes
- Combustible items on escape routes
- Excessive distances between fire escapes
- No fire risk assessments carried out
Danger to Life
Despite the Notice, a subsequent inspection revealed that Reynolds had not taken adequate measures to address the non-compliances and had allowed people to sleep at both the properties.
Up to seven people were found to be staying at the Buck I’th Vine, paying up to £100 per week. One was sleeping on a mattress in the ground floor living room.
Similarly, at the Malthouse, several occupants were found to be sleeping on mattresses on the first floor.
The contraventions at both locations were considered so serious as to put lives at risk in the event of a fire.
Sentencing
Mr Reynolds offered a guilty plea for seven offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The Order states that any person who has some level of control in premises must take reasonable steps to reduce the risk from fire and make sure people can safely escape if there is a fire.
The magistrate had authority to issue unlimited fines for the offences, but took the view that the seriousness of the offences made this inappropriate. He felt that Mr Reynolds had clearly put profit before safety and that sentencing should therefore be carried out at Crown Court.
In an additional development, Reynolds has subsequently been prosecuted by the council and has and pleaded guilty to a charge of allowing occupation of one of the properties as an unlicensed house of multiple occupation.
Safety of Tenants
The Ormskirk area has a large population of students and others of limited financial means, and as such, low-cost private-rented accommodation forms a significant percentage of the local housing.
This matter highlights the fact that landlords have a responsibility to their tenants to provide a safe living environment that complies with fire safety regulations. Those in cheaper accommodation are often the more vulnerable members of the community, yet it is almost inevitable that it is in these types of properties that corners are likely to be cut.
Local Councillor Kevin Wright said: “This case sends out a clear message that private landlords must comply with the law or they could face prosecution.”