Landlords have been informed that they could face jail if they do not ensure their premises meet fire safety standards.
Cleveland Fire Brigade have issued these warnings and are requesting that letting agents, landlords and property owners contact them to ensure their fire safety procedures currently in place are adequate.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) came into force in October 2006. This stipulates that fire safety in almost all business, commercial and non domestic premises is the responsibility of the employer or owner of the building and a fire safety risk assessment should be undertaken.
Barry Waller, head of fire engineering at Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: "We want to ensure the safety of everyone in our community and can offer help and advice to those who own properties which they rent out. We have already been contacting landlords, property owners and letting agents in the local area which we will continue to do."