Liverpool City Council has closed down three bedsits in the city over fire safety breaches, and issued strong warnings to other local landlords.
The accommodation in question was situated above a four storey commercial building, and had no fire precautions to protect tenants.
Fire doors were broken and had missing self-closers, electric meter cupboards were open in communal areas which increase the risk of spread from a fire.
There were also damage to the walls and ceilings within the bedsit, with escape routes obstructed.
Detailed inspection found dangerous layouts in inner rooms causing tenants to escape through the kitchen area if they had to get out of the property.
Councillor Frank Hont, Cabinet member for housing, said: “It is absolutely shocking that any landlord would think that it is acceptable to allow people to live in these conditions.
“This house was a potential death trap and was putting tenants at serious risk of injury, or even death. We used our powers under Landlord Licensing to inspect it and secured a closure order.
“We are determined to drive up the standard of private rented accommodation in this city and will not hesitate to take action when we find landlords putting their tenants at risk.”
A professional Fire Risk Assessment would have highlighted all of these issues
Original source Residential Landlords Association
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