A Lancashire landlord has been ordered to pay a £72,000 fine plus prosecution costs of £8,700 and a victim surcharge of £120 for breaking fire safety laws.
Stuart De’Ath was prosecuted by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service for 18 separate breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 relating to three of his rental properties in the Lytham St Annes area of Lancashire.
The prosecution followed an inspection of the premises by fire safety enforcement officers from St Annes fire station and housing officers from Fylde Borough Council, which resulted in De’Ath being issued with prohibition notices to improve fire safety in the buildings.
The breaches related to three three-storey properties which contained a total of 19 flats.
The case was heard at Blackpool Magistrates Court using a comprehensive evidence file prepared by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service’s fire safety enforcement team and De’Ath pleaded guilty to 18 charges. The case was heard on 18 March but De’Ath was not sentenced until this week.
The charges included:
- No fire risk assessment;
- Inadequate fire separation throughout all premises;
- Inadequate means of giving warning in case of fire;
- Inadequate provision of Emergency Lighting;
- Inadequate fire evacuation procedure.
Other breaches of the order included combustible materials on the means of escape and incorrect fastenings on a final exit door.
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