Principle Estate Management has welcomed government plans for new legislation that takes fire safety even more seriously.

The Home Office has announced there will be no limit to the size of fine that can be handed down for breaches to fire safety regulations under changes to the Fire Safety Order.

It has also announced that the legislation will mean that anyone caught obstructing or impersonating a fire inspector will also face unlimited fines.

Brett Williams, the managing director of Principle, explained that the new measures were part of the government’s response to the Fire Safety Consultation, coming into force as part of legislation in the Building Safety Bill.

Mr Williams said: “It’s crucial that the owners of all buildings take their responsibilities seriously, and this planned legislation shows the government’s commitment to this.

“These measures will amend the Fire Safety Order and will include a requirement for fire risk assessments to be recorded for each building and improve how fire safety information is handed over throughout the lifetime of a building.

“Principle welcomes these reforms which follow a major review into fire safety in buildings following the Grenfell Tower fire in London in June 2017.”

The Fire Safety Consultation took place in 2020 to inform government work on improving fire safety, and more than 250 responses were received.

The government now intends to launch a further consultation on personal emergency evacuation plans this spring to seek additional views on implementing the relevant Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommendations.

Mr Williams added: “It’s imperative that people should not only feel but also be as safe as possible in the buildings where they live, stay or work.

“These new measures will not only improve fire safety and help save lives but will also see the government take firm action against those who fail in their duty to keep people safe.”

Principle Estate Management is the UK’s fastest growing residential estate management company.

Launched in 2018, Principle has since grown from what was virtually a one-man band into what is now over 30 staff looking after a portfolio of more than 7,000 units in 250-plus developments across the UK.

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For further information please contact:

Brett Williams,

Principle Estate Management LLP, 137 Newhall Street, Birmingham B3 1SF

Tel: 07954 078711 / 0121 289 4315

Email: BWilliams@PrincipleEstate.co.uk

www.PrincipleEstate.co.uk

https://twitter.com/PrincipleEM

https://www.linkedin.com/company/principle-estate-management/

https://www.facebook.com/PrincipleEstateManagement/

Editors’ notes:

Principle is a customer-focused managing agent providing a transparent property management service to the highest standards nationwide, focusing particularly on the management of apartment buildings. Principle Estate Management, based in Birmingham, launched in Spring 2018 and is led by experienced chartered surveyors. The business was born out of a passion for “doing it right” through a director-led, friendly approach combined with robust systems that maximize efficiency. Principle provides a service that sets the aspirational standard for other agents. The company manages modern apartment buildings, traditional blocks of flats, mixed use developments, private housing estates and private rented sector (PRS) or build-to-rent (BTR) developments, as well as portfolios of rented properties for residential or commercial landlords.