Fire Risk Query...

[BigEv]

Hi all...

There is 3 bedroomed terraced house near me that has been converted into 3 separate dwellings: a 3 bed flat, a 1 bed flat and a single studio flat which the landlord rents out to mainly eastern european immigrants.

there seems to be upward of 15-20 people living in the property at anyone time and local resident are worried that this many people living in one address is an accident waiting to happen.

Can anyone tell me how many people are allowed to live at an address before it is perceived to be a dangerous fire hazard?

All answers appreciated in advance....

Many thanks!!

[Old_Geezer]

I would think it would depend on the dwelling. The council must have approved the multiple occupancy.

[VHG]

Note if this conversion has been done properly (probably not) then there are many things the landlord should have done, to do with safety, health etc. including maybe smoke alarms, fire doors, adequate toilets etc.

I would report it to the council (not sure which department) and get them to go round and have a look.

p.s. Another great example of why being in the EU is such an awful idea.

Many sheds and garages and other dwellings are being built at the back of people's houses and rented out to illegal immigrants, many without toilets, running water etc.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2362393/Inside-migrant-Shed-City-Immigrants-living-cramped-illegally-built-garden-sheds.html

[VHG]

>>>The council must have approved the multiple occupancy.

Not if nobody told them about it.

Lots of house conversions are done (often by immigrants) who don't bother to tell anyone they have done it.

[Old_Geezer]

Then presumably that would be the first point of enquiry.

[bednobs]

what has it got to do with being in the EU?

[sandyRoe]

Contact the planning Dept of the local council.

[Peter Pedant]

It may well not be within the council's knowledge

There IS a scheme for registation of HMOs (houses in multiple occupation)
and this is in force in Manc near the MRI and Harpurhey.
And they have to be licensed....

BUT - is this really a money raising exercise for the council ? A licence MAY be as high as £3500 p a .... which of course is passed onto the tenant - and if they are dossers then it is passed onto you, the tax payer.

So basically it depends where you are....

I think you are better off installing CCTV in your own house.....

[BigEv]

Hi...

Thanks for all your input...Sorry I failed to mention that the conversion was legally approved by the council, despite 100% objections from surrounding residents.

What concerns everyone now is; the owner/landlord appears to be cramming as many tenants in as possible, virtually on top of each other it would seem, regardless of their safety or that of the neighbours.

I would assume that the 3 bed flat would safely accommodate up to 6 people, the 1 bed flat 2 people and the studio flat 1-2 people, a total of 10 people living at the address.

In this case there seems to be far more that that living there. How many people are allowed to live there before tenants and neighbours safety comes before his profits??

Many thanks...

[boxtops]

The council will have words to say about occupancy - give them a ring and just ask for guidance. You don't have to say that it's about this particular property.