Fire safety rules are there to protect the public and property owners who are subject to them should take careful note of a case in which a holiday homes landlord was hit hard in the pocket for a catalogue of breaches.

The man, who rented out two vacation homes, pleaded guilty to six charges related to deficiencies in fire risk assessments, a lack of escape routes and fire alarms and a failure to comply with local authority enforcement notices. He was fined £22,000 and ordered to pay £78,000 in prosecution costs.

The facts of the case emerged, as the Court of Appeal noted, that he had admitted the charges after taking legal advice and dismissed his appeal against the convictions as hopeless. It was also not conceivably arguable that the fine and costs order imposed were manifestly excessive or wrong in principle.

For further information Health and Safety Law, contact Dean Parnell on 0121 698 2200, email d.parnell@sydneymitchell.co.uk or fill in our online enquiry form.

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