Two landlords from Cardiff have been fined over £20,000 for lack of fire safety and building regulation compliance in their properties
Rowshanara Begum and Lawford Cunningham failed to comply with the new standards in their properties, leaving housing inspectors “shocked”.
Cardiff Council said the housing inspector found a “catalogue of failings” at the properties relating to a lack of basic fire safety measures, including:
Faulty or no fire alarms
Defective fire doors that did not fit in the frame correctly
Doors off their hinges
Unsafe electrical installations
Poorly maintained communal escape routes
A lack of fire protection.
The landlords suffered severe financial losses as a result of negligence
Landlords have a legal duty to comply with fire safety regulations to keep tenants and property safe from the risk of fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide, according to the Housing Act (2004) and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (2005).
How can landlords comply with fire and building safety regulations?
Installing working smoke alarms on each storey of the building
Providing a working carbon monoxide alarm in any room with a fixed fuel-burning appliance
Ensuring there is an evacuation plan for tenants
Keeping escape routes and fire exits clear
Making sure any supplied furniture and furnishings are fire retardant.
Additional measures for HMOs and shared housing may include:
Providing fire extinguishers and fire blankets
Conducting annual fire risk assessments
Adding wayfinding signage to ensure safe evacuation
Provide fire door information for all residents
Following fire door regulations by installing certified fire doors with the necessary fire door hardware
Electrical inspection every five years by a qualified person.
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