Oxfordshire Trading Stds. v Lyttons Property Service (1998)

A landlord, Mr Shafti, employed Lyttons to manage the property for him. The agents did not make safety checks on furniture in the house before tenants moved in. Four students in the property then complained to Oxfordshire's Trading Standards Service, and a number of items (including mattresses and a refrigerator) were seized for testing. The furniture did not display the appropriate permanent labels as required under the Furniture & Furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1989 and failed subsequent fire safety tests.  The refrigerator was also non-compliant - it was wired with a non-approved plug (there was no insulation on the live & neutral pins) and no instructions or warning labels had been supplied.

HELD: The proprietor of Lyttons was prosecuted and pleaded guilty to 12 charges for offences relating to the supply of non-compliant flammable furniture and other items (relating to two chairs, a sofa, four mattresses and a refrigerator) under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

The proprietor was also fined £1, 625 and ordered to pay £1, 400 in costs.