Glasgow’s licensing committee stripped landlord Anna McMullan of her House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence after safety inspectors uncovered severe, unresolved fire hazards at a Sauchiehall Street flat. The decision was reached during a committee meeting following objections from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, which refused to sign off on the licence renewal application due to ongoing dangers.
The property, which accommodates five tenants across five individual rooms, first came under scrutiny during a joint inspection conducted in February by Glasgow City Council’s HMO team and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Fire safety officials discovered a catalogue of major breaches, including compromised escape routes caused by clothes dryers stored in hallways, missing fire safety information for tenants, and fire doors failing to close properly within their frames.
Severe Fire Breaches Identified During Inspections
During the initial February audit, inspectors noted the presence of candles, door wedges, and coat hangers hung on the backs of fire doors-all of which present serious safety risks during an emergency. Authorities also found excessive accumulations of combustible materials in the utility and shower rooms, unmaintained extraction fans, structural holes in walls and ceilings, and a missing electrical installation condition report.
Despite these alarming findings, tenants vacated the property in May, and a new group of occupants moved in during August. A second follow-up audit conducted in September revealed that many of the original hazards remained unaddressed. Inspectors reported that extraction fans were heavily coated in dust or grease, fire doors still failed to seal correctly, and excessive gaps remained around the bottom of doorways.
Landlord Rejected Repair Quotes
Representing the landlord, a letting agent informed the licensing committee that multiple repair quotes had previously been submitted to Anna McMullan, but she rejected them. The agent claimed that following the September inspection, contractors were finally dispatched to provide fresh quotes for the mandated remedial work, and the agency is now stepping up internal checks for its managed HMO properties.
However, the explanation failed to satisfy committee members. Cllr Alex Wilson, the SNP chair of the licensing committee, strongly condemned the decision to allow tenants to move into a compromised building.
If there’s a fire in the property, it’s already been highlighted by Scottish Fire and Rescue that the property is not safe. You’ve put tenants into a property that’s not safe. All of these should have been rectified,
Cllr Wilson told the letting agent during the hearing. He emphasized that a substantial number of alarm bells were ringing regarding public safety, especially given that members of the public were residing in a high-risk building that lacked official fire service approval.
HMO Licensing and Safety Standards
In Scotland, an HMO licence is legally required when a residential property is let to three or more unrelated individuals who share facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms. Local authorities use the licensing process to vet landlords and ensure properties meet stringent safety criteria, with fire prevention serving as a cornerstone of tenant protection.
Because McMullan’s renewal application was formally rejected, she is legally barred from continuing to operate the Sauchiehall Street property as an HMO. The ruling highlights the strict enforcement measures local councils and emergency services are taking against landlords who fail to maintain safe living conditions in shared accommodations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an HMO licence in Scotland?
An HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) licence is a mandatory permit required by local authorities in Scotland for landlords renting properties to three or more unrelated tenants who share basic amenities like kitchens and bathrooms.
Why was Anna McMullan’s HMO licence revoked?
Glasgow’s licensing committee refused her licence renewal after inspections in February and September by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service uncovered severe, unresolved fire hazards, including blocked escape routes and faulty fire doors.
How many tenants were living in the Sauchiehall Street flat?
At the time of the inspections, the property was occupied by five tenants living across five separate rooms.
What specific fire safety hazards were found by inspectors?
Inspectors found blocked hallways due to stored clothes dryers, fire doors that failed to close properly, excessive gaps under doors, heavy dust and grease on extraction fans, combustible materials in utility areas, and holes in walls and ceilings.
What happens next for the property?
With the HMO licence application officially refused, the landlord is no longer legally permitted to operate the Sauchiehall Street flat as a house in multiple occupation.
