Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

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£4,000 for landlord who flouted fire safety restrictions

A landlord has been forced to pay £1,000 in fines and £3,246 in costs for letting his property out to private tenants after being served with a prohibition notice. 

Steven Russell, of Courtyard Hotel, in Stockton-on-Tees, pleaded guilty at Teesside Magistrates Court for failure to comply with a prohibition notice.  This is an offence under 32(2) (h) of the Fire Safety Order 2005.

It comes after concerns about the property were raised by Officers from Stockton Borough Council's Private Sector Housing Team who were carrying out their own investigations as to whether the property required a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence.  

Inadequate fire doors and means of escape

An inspection of the property in November 2009 revealed a number of fire safety breaches in the top two floors of the four-storey building.  At that time fire investigators found that the means of escape for both floors were inadequate, due to missing or incorrectly fitted intumescent strips and smoke seals.  Investigators also found fire doors did not meet the 30-minute standard. 

The breaches led to a prohibition notice for both floors.

However, less than a year later, following a joint visit by Officers from the Private Sector Housing Team and Cleveland Fire and Rescue Service, Mr Russell was found to be housing tenants in the third floor bedrooms and that the necessary works had not been carried out, and therefore in breach of the restrictions imposed by the Fire Service.

Barry Waller, Head of Fire Engineering for the service, said: "The prohibition notice was served in November 2009 following several audits and inspections during which Cleveland Fire Brigade had attempted to encourage Mr Russell to bring fire safety measures within the premises up to the required standard."

The notice prohibited use of the third and fourth floors until works to improve fire safety were completed.  Officers from the Private Sector Housing Team, alerted the Fire Service to the possibility that accommodation on the floors which were prohibited for use may be occupied.

A joint inspection of the premises on 13 October 2010 by officers from the Council and Fire Service found that the third floor of the property was in use and that the remedial work had not been completed. 

Since then, the third floor has been passed fit for the use of tenants but use of the fourth floor remains prohibited.  Councillor Steve Nelson, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety added, "Stockton Borough Council and Cleveland Fire and Rescue Service have a protocol in place to ensure appropriate standards of fire safety provisions are provided and maintained in residential premises.  The Council and Fire Service regularly undertake joint inspections and provide each other with assistance and information.  This case highlights the effectiveness of their joint working in protecting the health and safety of residents."