STANMORE, U.K. -- LONDON: Some recent actions have put errant letting agents on notice. In Hatfield, Hertfordshire, a letting agent was slapped a fine of £41,200 for risking the safety of tenants in a number of properties across the town. A Letting Agency of London, They were charged with 13 offences relating to five houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) situated on the Aviation Avenue and Mosquito Way. The charges were related to issues concerning fire safety. It has been found out that some of the properties featured had an inadequate smoke detection and defective fire doors.
The worst case in one property where a staircase handrail was in danger and it was not securely fixed to the wall. In another case exit doors had no fire safety safeguards as they were kept locked.
According to Councillor, these problems, if left unresolved, would have led to serious consequences including death of tenants. He made it clear that the ultimate aim is to ensure the safety of tenants in the borough and the Council will work with private landlords and agents towards that end. To safeguard the tenants in the borough the Council will be working in close cooperation with private landlords and agents as much as possible.
Prosecution a Last Resort
The Council uses prosecution only as a last resort to send out a message to landlords and agents who had been callous and refused to heed the friendly advice, information and support. So enforcement action was resorted to against those who knowingly flouted the law.
Meet Obligationsl
The council has asked all landlords and letting agents to be aware of their of legal obligations in matters like fire safety. The legal action against the irresponsible letting agents had brought the issue of safety in rental homes to the centre stage. They have to ensure that tenants can escape easily in the event of a fire.
Those running HMOs has additional obligations under the fire safety regulations of 2004. If Landlords can get more information on fire safety requirements from local housing officers or Fire Brigades.
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