Student landlord faces jail following fire safety breaches
By |Published On: 10th July 2015|

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Student landlord faces jail following fire safety breaches

By |Published On: 10th July 2015|

This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.

A student landlord from Bristol has been given a suspended jail sentence, following a breach of numerous fire safety regulations.

Garreth Wilson’s neglect towards legislation was first revealed in 2012, when students in the property had to be rescued following a fire. Mr Wilson was then found guilty of breaching fire safety law, but after another inspection a few months later, Avon Fire and Rescue found that sufficient safety measures had still not been introduced

Neglect

Mr Wilson’s breaches of fire regulations included:

  • insufficient written fire risk assessment
  • inadequate fire escape routes
  • no self-closing fire doors
  • non-maintenance of fire safety equipment

In court, Mr Wilson admitted to a further three breaches of legislation and as a result was given another three months suspended sentence, to go with the four months he had previously been issued.

Avon Fire and Rescue Service’s head of technical fire safety group manager Matt Peskett, said, ‘we are satisfied with the outcome of this case and that the sentence reflects the severity of the charges. As the responsible person for the property, Mr Wilson had a duty to ensure the safety of those living in the accommodation. Without adequate fire safety measures lives were put at risk.’[1]

Student landlord faces jail following fire safety breaches

Student landlord faces jail following fire safety breaches

‘Part of the role of the fire and rescue service is to enforce the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and ensure all business premises and public places comply so people are safe when inside,’ Peskett added.[1]

[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2015/7/suspended-sentence-for-student-landlord

 

About the Author: Em Morley (she/they)

Em is the Content Marketing Manager for Just Landlords, with over five years of experience writing for insurance and property websites. Together with the knowledge and expertise of the Just Landlords underwriting team, Em aims to provide those in the property industry with helpful resources. When she’s not at her computer researching and writing property and insurance guides, you’ll find her exploring the British countryside, searching for geocaches.

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