A Lancashire landlord's failed appeal against a fire safety enforcement notice means that he has been ordered by a court to pay a total of £3000 to the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service.

The defence that the landlord used was that the notice was not specific enough and was therefore too vague, however this was dismissed in the appeal. The notice was issued to the HMO (house in multiple occupation) that he rented out in an area of Morecambe.

The Fire Service's solicitor acting on their behalf stated to the Lancaster Magistrates that the notice was issued after they had carried out a full inspection of the property and discovered many contraventions of the regulations. .

The legislation requires the person who is responsible for the property must carry out a Fire Risk Assessment and to make sure that the property is safe, so in case of a fire starting, then all people in the property can safely escape.

The court agreed with the findings and that the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service acted correctly when issuing the enforcement notice and the landlord was ordered to pay £3,200.

 

Lee Munday, Fire Safety Team Leader for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “The issuing of an Enforcement Notice shows a high failing of fire safety.

“When issued they are wrote in accordance with the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order. LFRS will always work with responsible persons to help with compliance however when required the order will be enforced".