Unfortunately, Safety and Fire Safety Building regulations can often go overlocked until they are an immediate hazard to residents. This has been shown following on from the Grenfell fire, with huge number of high-rise buildings still requiring safety work to be completed.
A Yorkshire based property company has joined the latest of building companies in receiving fines for not completing essential Safety and Fire Safety work. The company was directed by housing officers to complete work on a property based in Driffield with improvement notices being served multiple times. The improvement notices stated that there was no heat or smoke detectors, there was a collapsed ceiling, no lighting in the hallway and finally windows or doors that would not open or lock properly. Residents has complained about the property back in October 2020. With a direct and immediate risk to residents involving the collapsed ceiling, the works should have been completed promptly.
Moving into 2021, a January inspection showed that the works had still not been carried out. The company was then issued legal notices which were further ignored. With it looking likely no work was going to be completed, court proceeding against the property company began with East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s private sector housing. The company, GAP Properties (Yorkshire) Ltd pleaded guilty to behalf to two counts of failing to comply with improvement notices served under the Housing Act 2004. The company was consequently fined £20,000 with costs of £3,419.57 and a victim surcharge of £190.
Health & Safety around homes and workplaces is vital due to the catastrophic effects it can have on residents and staff if regulations are ignored. Buildings must be regularly inspected for any faults and damages, especially within schools and public buildings. FusionHR can help with Health & Safety within Education and can act as your Competent Person under “The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999” (regulation7).
If you require help with Health and Safety, please get in touch with one of the team who will be happy to help.
Source: https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/say/news/?entry=62669cecae75d9a465d6845a
