§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement regarding the responsibilities of landlords in ensuring fire safety in houses of multiple occupation.
§ Mr. Robert B. JonesThe Housing (Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Regulations 1990—SI 1990 No. 830—require managers of HMOs to ensure the repair, maintenance and good order of means of escape from fire, including display signs, and apparatus, systems and other things provided by way of fire precautions. The manager is also required to take reasonable precautions for the general safety of residents, which can include fire precautions. Failure to comply is punishable by a fine not exceeding level three on the standard scale, which is currently £1,000.
Local housing authorities have the power to serve a notice under section 352 of the Housing Act 1985, as amended, requiring the person having control of or 559W managing the house to provide adequate means of escape from fire and other fire precautions. Failure to comply is punishable by a fine not exceeding level four on the standard scale, currently £2,500. Local authorities may carry out works in default and recover their expenses from the person on whom the notice was served.
Landlords may also have a general duty under section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 to conduct their undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in their employment are not exposed to risks to their health or safety, and this can include tenants in HMOs. The risks can include fire risks. Failure to comply is punishable by a fine not exceeding £20,000.