THE manager of a shared house has been fined £500 after he admitted failing to carry out fire proofing and heating work.

THE manager of a shared house has been fined £500 after he admitted failing to carry out fire proofing and heating work.

Roger Harman, manager of the house in Fornham Road, Bury St Edmunds, was prosecuted on Friday by St Edmundsbury Borough Council for failing to comply with an Improvement Notice served under the provisions of the Housing Act 2004.

The Notice required fire proofing works and the provision of heating in one of the rooms.

Harman, who pleaded guilty to the offence, was fined £500 and ordered to pay the Council's costs of £250.

The council enforces standards for the property involved particularly in respect of the provision of a safe means of escape in case of fire.

Standards also include ensuring that there are sufficient amenities for the number of households and that they are free from hazards and in a good state of repair.

Sara Mildmay-White, the council's cabinet member for community, said: “The risk of fire in a house in multiple occupation is ten times higher than in a single household occupied property and this prosecution is evidence of our determination to protect tenants. “We are aware of more than 60 houses in multiple occupation in the borough and we are targeting them to ensure that they comply with the council's standards.”