A LANDLORD has won an appeal against his conviction for failing to provide essential fire safety equipment in one of his flats.

Zahid Razzaq was prosecuted by Bolton Council following a blaze at one of his properties in the Haulgh.

Mr Razzaq, aged 44, of Silverton Grove, Astley Bridge, was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £300 costs after being found guilty under the Housing (Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Regulations 1990.

The trial last October heard that he had failed to ensure all means of escape from fire and all other fire precautions were in place and maintained in good order at the property in Bromwich Street.

The problems were discovered after a fire in June 2001 when two tenants had to be rescued by the fire service.

Bolton magistrates concluded there was evidence that the fire alarm systems were not working and found him guilty.

However, Mr Razzaq was successful in overturning the decision when his appeal was heard at Bury Magistrates Court.

He provided evidence that he had done everything within his power to ensure precautions were in place, including documents proving electrical contractors had carried out work at the flat the week before the fire.

Mr Razzaq was delighted he had cleared his name.

He said: "I felt I was harshly treated by the court. I was labelled a negligent landlord, but I did everything by the book. It is not straight forward being a landlord.

"You can't come and go as you please -- the tenants have rights as well. I can only do so much and can't watch them 24 hours a day. Now I feel justice has been done. All I wanted to do was clear my name."