Landlord fined £5,000 for blocking fire escape at Margate flat

A London-based landlord has been successfully prosecuted for failing to comply with an Improvement Notice. 

Officers from the Private Sector Housing Team visited the basement flat in Athelstan Road, Margate in November 2016 and found that the only acceptable fire escape from a rear bedroom had been blocked off by a fence. Despite the landlord and his letting agent being given ample opportunity to remove the obstruction and provide a safe way out from the flat, they failed to take action.

On Monday 8 October, in a trial heard by a district judge at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court, Petley Limited of Osbaldeston Road, London pleaded not guilty to the charge of failing to comply with the Improvement Notice. The company argued that they had made attempts to carry out the works and had left it to their managing agent to deal with.

However, the judge did not accept that the company had a reasonable excuse and handed down a guilty verdict. The landlord was ordered to pay a total of £6,839. This includes a fine of £5,000, with £1,669 costs and a victim surcharge of £170.

Cllr. Lesley Ann Game, Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods said: “This landlord allowed their tenant to continue living in a flat, which did not have a safe way out in the event of fire. This is not in any way acceptable and the council will continue to take a tough line with landlords who fail to take their fire safety responsibilities seriously.

“Furthermore, this case made it very clear that landlords cannot discharge their responsibilities to their managing agents. Ultimately, landlords must ensure they comply with any enforcement notice served on them in a timely manner. It is not an excuse to say ‘I gave it to my managing agent to do’. If you are a landlord and do not believe your managing agent is fulfilling their obligations, I suggest you appoint someone else who will.”

If you are a private tenant and are concerned about your housing conditions, you should first contact your landlord and give them an opportunity to resolve any safety concerns. If you put this in writing and do not get a reasonable response within 14 days, you may receive some protection from retaliatory eviction.

The council’s Private Sector Housing Team can help if your landlord does not respond to your concerns within a reasonable timescale. You can request an inspection by calling the team on 01843 577437 or by emailing housing.conditions@thanet.gov.uk. If you have a genuine complaint, the council will take action to ensure your landlord provides you with a safe home. Private landlords can also contact the team for help and advice about their legal responsibilities.