NLA rebukes rogue landlords
Thursday, 21 February 2008 12:00 AM
The National Landlords Association (NLA) has warned landlords of the potential dangers of overcrowding properties.
Echoing the concerns of fire brigades across the country - the NLA has warned a minority of landlords are packing properties, often with migrant workers, to such a degree that escaping in the event of a fire would be close to impossible.
Now the NLA has out rightly condemned rogue landlords who are engaged in the practice - operating totally outside the regulatory framework by overcrowding their properties.
"Licensing for homes in multiple occupation was introduced precisely to target cases where severe overcrowding is occurring in badly managed properties," said NLA chairman, David Salusbury.
"These unscrupulous landlords are operating entirely outside of a system developed to protect the welfare of tenants. The NLA has no hesitation in supporting local authorities as they seek to root out such practices among rogue operators."
Multiple occupancy legislation covers a single property occupied a number of residents, not forming a single household.
Minimum standards for means of escape in case of fire, amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms and toilets as well as overcrowding with regards to the number and size of rooms, are all set as part of the scheme.
While the NLA explains fire safety regulation for rental properties is a complicated area and can be confusing even for the most responsible landlords, the challenges can be met with sufficient research.
As such, the organisation is working with stakeholders across the sector to produce clear and practical guidance for landlords on the fire safety precautions required for certain types of properties.
In addition, the NLA is also producing a logbook designed to complement the guidance which will enable landlords to record their history of risk assessments, maintenance and testing of fire safety equipment.
Both these publications will be published in June 2008.
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