Skegness landlord found guilty of putting ‘lives at risk’

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Mrs Rose Clennell owner of JJ’s Hotel and The House on Firbeck Avenue, appeared at Skegness Magistrates Court on October 20, 2010, where she pleaded not guilty to the offence of blocking a fire exit by converting part of the route into a letting room, leaving several tenants without an accessible fire escape in the event of a fire. However, she was found guilty and sentenced to an 18 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £1,000 costs.

The District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor John Upsall, said: “This prosecution sends an important message to our community about the condition of HMOs. This HMO owner thought she could flout the Housing Standards requirements. It is irresponsible and unacceptable to put people’s lives at risk in this way.

“Everyone deserves to live in an acceptable and safe quality of accommodation and we will always take action where we find this not to be the case.”

This was the second time in 2010 East Lindsey District Council had investigated JJ’s Hotel and The House. In January, Clennell was issued with a Prohibition Order to prevent the property from being used as residential accommodation until various works had been carried out to improve its condition and means of escape. This work was completed in April 2010 and the Prohibition Order revoked so that the property could be used again.