A student accommodation firm has been fined £22,000 for breaches of fire safety standards at student homes in Durham
Five student accommodation blocks in New Elvet, Durham – home to more than 170 residents – were found to “pose a significant risk of serious injury or death in the event of a fire”.
Repeated warnings and enforcement actions were issued by County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) to Elvet Residences Limited (formerly Three Tuns Developments Limited) between October 2023 and April 2024.
However, despite the repeated warnings about safety at the blocks, CDDFRS said the company had “failed to take adequate steps to remedy the fire safety breaches”, resulting in a case being brought against them.
A sentence hearing took place at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on 5 November 2025, where it was deemed that the fire safety breaches were of “high culpability and medium harm”. The court also cited “systemic failures in fire safety management”.
Elvet Residences Limited was handed a fine of £8,000 and ordered to pay £12,071 in costs to the fire service. The company was also ordered to pay a victim support surcharge of £2,000.
Commenting on the successful prosecution, Johnny Smith, Head of Fire Safety at CDDFRS, said: “This case highlights the critical importance of maintaining robust fire safety standards, especially in buildings with sleeping accommodation.
“The safety of residents must never be compromised.
“This prosecution sends out a strong message to those with responsibilities under the Fire Safety Order and shows the Service’s commitment to fire safety.”
The fire service has been urging all property managers and landlords to ensure they are complying with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and that they act “promptly” on risk assessments and enforcement notices.