Estate agent director fined £12,500 for fire safety failures
The director of a Hastings-based estate agency has been fined £12,500 for failing to provide information to fire safety inspectors following a serious incident that left three people trapped.
Gareth Reed, director of Riverstone-Abbey Estate Agents, was prosecuted by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service alongside his company, which received a further £7,500 fine at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on 12th October.
The total financial penalty, including a £2,000 statutory victim surcharge and £2,525.31 in investigation costs, amounts to £24,525.31.
Fire incident and investigation
The prosecution followed a fire at a property in Hughenden Road, Hastings, on 15th May 2025. Three people suffered smoke inhalation after becoming trapped inside as smoke filled the common areas and blocked their escape routes.
The building was managed by Reed and his company at the time of the incident. Subsequent inspections identified multiple fire safety failings, including an unsecured fire detector in the kitchen and doors without self-closing devices. Residents had not been provided with information about emergency procedures in the event of a fire.
However, Reed was not prosecuted for those specific failings or in connection with the injuries sustained. The charge related solely to his failure, without reasonable excuse, to supply documents and information requested during the investigation.
Legal framework and enforcement
Article 27 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 grants inspectors the power to enter premises, request information and require documentation. The case highlights the enforcement powers available to fire safety authorities when managing agents fail to cooperate with investigations.
The prosecution comes at a time when property market conditions are challenging, with increased scrutiny on property management standards across the rental sector.
Jake Kaye, station manager for legal and enforcement at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Effective fire safety management is essential to reduce the likelihood of fire and to ensure that, should a fire occur, it can be detected quickly and occupants can escape safely.”
He added: “This case also highlights the importance of responding to official correspondence. Ignoring a letter or failing to respond to a lawful request for information is not a way to avoid scrutiny; it can lead to further enforcement action and prosecution.”
Industry implications
The case serves as a reminder to property managers and agents of their legal obligations under fire safety regulations. With housing stock levels increasing, compliance with safety standards remains a priority for regulatory authorities.
Kaye emphasised that the penalties “serve as a clear reminder that fire safety responsibilities must be taken seriously, and that lawful requests from authorised inspectors must be dealt with promptly.”
The case underscores the financial and reputational risks facing property professionals who fail to cooperate with regulatory investigations, particularly in the management of multi-occupancy residential buildings.
