A property management company has been fined several thousand pounds for fire safety breaches after inspectors uncovered significant safety failures.

13 Bedford Square Limited, responsible for the property at 13 Bedford Square in Brighton, was instructed to pay £4,000 at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on April 9 after disregarding a compliance notice served by East Sussex Fire Authority.

The fire service had demanded upgrades to fire safety provisions at the premises, which had been converted into separate apartments.

The company entered a guilty plea at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on December 8, 2025.

The firm was also ordered to contribute £4,000 towards the fire authority’s costs.

Concerns about fire safety issues at the Grade II protected structure were first reported to East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service on November 2, 2022.

After an urgent assessment, firefighters installed provisional safety measures so residents could continue sleeping in the building overnight.

A detailed inquiry revealed multiple breaches of fire safety requirements, encompassing the absence of a fire risk assessment, insufficient safeguarding of evacuation pathways, and failure to upkeep fire detection and alarm systems.

Due to these significant deficiencies, a formal enforcement notice was served requiring compliance by specific dates.

However, later visits confirmed that the required fire risk assessment had not been finished by the deadline, and necessary repairs to internal fire-resistant doors had not been carried out.

Jake Kaye, station manager for legal and enforcement at East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, explained that those overseeing fire safety hold a legal obligation to conduct and document a fire risk assessment.

Effective fire safety management is crucial to ensure fires are unlikely to happen, and if they do occur, they can be managed or contained swiftly and securely.

Mr Kaye added that it is essential everyone can evacuate to safety without difficulty when required.

Proper maintenance of fire detection and alarm systems is vital, as is ensuring occupants have a protected route to exit the building when an alarm triggers.

He pointed out that properties converted into apartments often do not have adequate fire risk assessments, labelling this a widespread issue that threatens residents’ safety.

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person to ensure occupant protection through proper fire safety measures.

This includes a written risk assessment, appropriate precautions, staff instruction, and regular equipment maintenance.