North Wales landlord fined over failure to conduct fire risk assessment
The landlord of a block of flats in North Wales has been fined more than £5,000 for failing to conduct a fire risk assessment.
Mr D.C. Lloyd was reportedly sent an enforcement notice by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service which required him to make improvements to fire safety measures at his property, Ferry Lodge Flats in Saltney Ferry.
Mold Magistrates Court heard that Mr Lloyd had failed to comply with the notice, prompting the fire service to initiate legal proceedings against him. He was found guilty of three breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005:
– Failure to carry out a full and thorough fire risk assessment
– Failure to properly maintain fire alarm systems
– Failure to adequately maintain emergency lighting within the property
For ignoring fire service advice and putting resident’s lives in danger, Mr Lloyd was fined a total of £5,015. Flintshire and Wrexham compliance manager Mike Hough commented on the outcome of the case, saying:
“We are pleased with the outcome of this case and trust that the safety of the occupants of Ferry Lodge Flats is now at the forefront of the owner’s mind, however, we are disappointed that Mr Lloyd chose to take this matter through the courts for what are some of the most basic fire safety arrangements for his premises.”
Landlords who wish to avoid similar penalties should make fire safety training a priority, to protect both themselves and their tenants.