The National Landlords Association (NLA) has outrightly condemned rogue landlords who are operating totally outside the regulatory framework by overcrowding their properties.
Echoing concerns from fire services throughout the country, there are still a minority of landlords filling their properties, often with migrant workers, to such a degree that escaping in the event of a fire would be close to impossible. NLA Chairman, David Salusbury said:"Licensing for Homes in Multiple Occupation was introduced precisely to target cases where severe overcrowding is occurring in badly managed properties. 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."
Fire safety regulation for rental properties is a complicated area and can be confusing even for the most responsible landlords. The NLA 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.
