WHEN IS A RESIDENCE NOT A RESIDENCE? FIRE PRECAUTIONS WITHIN HMOs

摘要

The message regarding responsibilities under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order is starting to hit home. Much has been discussed and written about the lack of awareness and understanding of the Order in some quarters but nationwide prosecutions for breaches of it have certainly helped to raise the profile. The move from a prescriptive approach to fire safety to one where control is handed to the 'responsible person' has not been without a degree of confusion. One area that appears to have suffered particularly in this regard is that of the accommodation provider. A number of prosecutions have been brought against Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) premises, a couple of examples of which are given later. In a normal workplace the Fire Safety Order clearly depicts that you have a duty to protect all relevant persons who may be on the premises and in the immediate vicinity. The common areas of blocks of flats, maisonettes and HMOs (e.g. stairs, corridors, shared kitchens, bathrooms and lounges etc) are subject to the Order.