Gateshead HMO landlord fined £42,000-plus in wake of “serious” fire safety issues

The penalties, totalling £42,300, were issued for running an unlicensed HMO and failing to properly manage the property and keep tenants safe.

Council investigations uncovered a number of serious fire safety and management problems at the three-storey property, which was occupied by seven people from six households.

Among the problems identified were a faulty and inadequate fire alarm system, the lack of emergency lighting, the absence of a fire blanket in the kitchen, defective fire doors, obstructions on escape routes, bedroom and exit doors that required keys to open from the inside, a lack of proper safety checks, inspections and records and a failure to respond to requests for information and documents to support the investigation.

Council officers also found evidence that the property had been operating as an HMO for a significant period without the legally required licence being in place. HMOs are properties rented by several people from different households who share facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms. Landlords who operate HMOs must follow strict legal requirements to make sure tenants are safe, particularly so in relation to fire safety and property management.

Paying the penalty 

Following the issuing of the penalties, Jetsun Ltd paid the fine within 28 days and received a 15% discount under Gateshead Council’s enforcement policy. The funds will be reinvested into further enforcement work in the private rented sector to help improve housing standards across Gateshead.

Samantha Allcott, strategic director of housing, environment and healthy communities at Gateshead Council, said: “Landlords have a legal duty to make sure the homes they rent out are safe and properly managed. In this case, the conditions found at the property were unacceptable and could have put tenants at serious risk, notably so in the event of a fire.”

Allcott added: “We work closely with landlords across Gateshead to help raise and maintain standards. Tenant safety will always come first and, that being so, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action where standards fall below what’s required by law.”

Gateshead Council introduced additional HMO licensing in parts of Gateshead in June last year to underpin ongoing work designed to improve housing standards and protect tenants living in privately rented accommodation.