Educational Fire Safety

A residential landlord has been sent to prison in the first custodial sentence to be given in London under the new fire safety regulations.

Mehmat Parlak was sentenced to four months imprisonment and his company, Watchacre properties limited, was fined £21,000 following conviction for serious breaches of the Regulatory Reform (fire safety) Order, which came into force in October 2006.

It is a fact that many multi-occupied residential properties represent a significant threat, in terms of fire safety and many landlords and property managers are unsure about their responsibilities under the legislation. It is essential that a proper system of risk management is introduced and assessments only carried out by 'Competent Persons', as defined by law.