Landlord is £24,000 out of pocket after breaching fire regulations in Milton Keynes guest house

Ms Nicole Harris, who runs 2 Titchmarsh Court, Oldbrook, had insufficient fire protection for fire escape routes, no firefighting equipment, no fire risk assessment and an inadequate fire warning system, Milton Keynes Magistrates heard.

The court heard that Ms Harris, also known as Ms Nicola Hunter, had pleaded guilty to eight charges at a previous hearing for failing to take adequate fire precautions in respect of the premises.

She also admitted a further two summary charges for obstructing fire officers in the line of duty.

Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority brought the charges following an inspection of the premises by fire safety officers a year ago after receiving a fire safety complaint from Milton Keynes Council housing officers.

The inspection identified significant and serious contraventions of fire safety regulations which led to the issue of a prohibition notice.

Magistrates heard that Ms Harris, who was sole proprietor and landlord of the premises, had continued to let parts of the premises for sleeping guests despite the service of a prohibition notice which expressly prohibited the premises from accommodating sleeping guests.

In mitigation presented by the defence, the court was informed of Ms Harris’s regret and failure to appreciate her obligations under the regulations over these offences. Her previous character was described as exemplary with no previous convictions.

Magistrates fined the defendant a total of £16,000 for the 10 offences together with a victim surcharge payment of £15, and awarded full costs of £8,153.29 in favour of Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority.

In mitigation, the defence informed the court that Ms Harris was currently in a very difficult financial position, and in consideration directed that she been given time to pay.

Station Commander Ian Wilson, head of the fire safety enforcement team in Milton Keynes, said afterwards: “In line with the Regulators’ Code, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service works closely with local businesses in Milton Keynes and Buckinghamshire to support economic growth.

“We will continue to provide fire safety advice and guidance and work hand-in-hand with businesses who seek our help to improve their fire safety. At the other end of the scale, law-abiding businesses deserve a level playing field and expect us to prosecute people who recklessly breach fire safety legislation to gain an unfair economic advantage - indeed, we are obliged by law to enforce the Fire Safety Order.

“Prohibition notices are legal notices and are only served where, in the event of fire, the risk of death or serious injury is so serious that use of the premises must be restricted or prohibited. By allowing vulnerable people to sleep in her guest house, when she knew a prohibition notice was in place, the defendant recklessly put these people’s lives at risk. To compound matters, she lied to inspecting officers and deliberately tried to mislead them.”

Mr Wilson added: “If anyone believes they have fire safety issues, it is our policy not to prosecute but to work together to find a solution.”

Anybody seeking assistance in understanding the requirements of the law can contact the fire safety office in Milton Keynes on 01908 236413 or email [email protected]