On Monday 7 December 2020, Paul Denford – of management company Denford’s Property Management – was fined a total £16,000 after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to offences under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
His offence was specifically a failure to fully comply with an Enforcement Notice requiring the undertaking of a suitable and sufficient risk assessment, the completion of a compartment survey and remedial work to breaches in compartmentation, and restricting access to the fire alarm panel by residents.
Fire safety breaches were found at one of the premises managed by Mr Denford’s property management company that led to the issuing of an Enforcement Notice.
Despite two extensions to the timescale for completion of the notice, Mr Denford failed in his duty to ensure the notice was fully complied with by the required completion date.
District Judge Blake said, “Your jobs require dedication and care, and a failure can have tragic consequences.”
At the same hearing, one of Mr Denford’s employees – a manager responsible for the specific premises – also pleaded guilty and was given a Conditional Discharge for 12-months and required to pay £1,800 in costs.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 covers the common areas of residential blocks of flats. This case is a clear demonstration that anyone connected to any premises covered by the legislation should be mindful of their responsibilities.
By taking on the management of the premises under the legislation, despite neither owning the freehold or any of the flats within the property, Mr Denford had a legal responsibility to fully comply with the Order.
Residents of purpose-built blocks of flats often engage management companies to oversee the maintenance and running of the common areas. They should ensure these companies are taking their duties seriously and meeting their obligations under fire safety legislation.
Director of Operations, Assistant Chief Officer Stew Adamson said, “Prosecutions are not undertaken lightly by HFRS, however they will be when all other enforcement routes have been exhausted and when the level of risk dictates that it is the right course of action.
“In this case prosecution was necessary for the safety of those residents. We are here to protect Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and make life safer for our communities.”
Our website provides lots of free fire safety information for property owners and residents at www.hantsfire.gov.uk/keeping-safe.