A student accommodation operator has been fined more than £22,000 after serious fire safety breaches were found at student homes in Durham city.
Elvet Residences Limited (formerly Three Tuns Developments Limited) was repeatedly warned by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) over the safety of five blocks of student housing on New Elvet, Durham.
The premises, which housed over 170 residents, was deemed by CDDFRS to pose a significant risk of serious injury or death in the event of a fire.
Despite repeated warnings and enforcement actions by CDDFRS between October 2023 and April 2024, the company failed to take adequate steps to remedy the fire safety breaches.
During a sentencing hearing at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, November 5, Elvet Residences Limited was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £12,071 in costs to CDDFRS, along with a £2,000 victim support surcharge.
The court found the fire safety breaches to be of high culpability and medium harm, citing systemic failures in fire safety management.
Johnny Smith, Head of Fire Safety at CDDFRS, said: “This case highlights the critical importance of maintaining robust fire safety standards, especially in buildings with sleeping accommodation.
“The safety of residents must never be compromised.
“This prosecution sends out a strong message to those with responsibilities under the Fire Safety Order and shows the Service’s commitment to fire safety.”
CDDFRS urges all property managers and landlords to ensure compliance with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and to act promptly on risk
assessments and enforcement notices.
If you require support or information on your responsibilities as a property manager or landlord, please contact: FireSafety@ddfire.gov.uk
To report fire safety concerns, please use the portal on our website.
