A Slough landlord and a development firm have been fined a total of £20,250 for putting tenant safety at risk through fire safety breaches.
Gurpartap Singh Bhullar of Manor Lodge, Mildenhall Road and Bellforce Developments Ltd, of which Mr Bhullar was the director, were charged with the violation at Reading Crown Court in regards to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.
The house of multiple occupation in Mildenhall Road, Slough, was inspected in October 2010 and was found to have numerous issues, including having no fire risk assessment in place, fire exists obstructed by combustible storage and fire exit gates locked shut.
There was also an inadequate fire alarm system, which had its smoke detectors removed, while its call points were inoperative.
Inspectors also found that there was insufficient emergency lighting, inadequate fire safety training for those on the site and no maintenance of the alarm and lighting systems.
Initially, there were a total of 38 charges at the Magistrates Court, but the defendants pleaded not guilty and it was referred to Reading Crown Court where they entered a guilty plea to six of the eight charges.
Judge Grainger ruled that the failures put the tenants at risk of death or injury and fined the company £13,500 and Mr Bhullar £6,750, with a further £21,732.62 having to be paid in costs to Royal Berkshire Fire Authority.
The court ordered that the penalties were to be paid in 12 months’ time, with a six-month prison sentence in default of payment.
"This sends out a clear message that landlords who persistently ignore their legal obligations, to ensure their premises meet fire safety standards and thereby risk tenants’ safety, will not only be prosecuted but will receive significant financial penalties," said David Walden, Royal Berkshire Fire Authority's fire safety legal support manager.
"This was a complex case which resulted in further charges brought by Slough Borough Council. The legislation is very clear and there is no excuse for landlords who fail to maintain their rental properties in compliance with the law."
The case brought by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority was preceded by a previous prosecution, brought by Slough Borough Council against the defendants, under the Housing Act 2004. This resulted in convictions at East Berkshire Magistrates Court in April 2012.
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