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Birmingham has become the first West Midlands local authority, and only the second in the country, to use powers provided under the Housing Act 2004 to prosecute a building owner.

On 16^th October 2025, Freehold Managers (Nominees) Limited, the company responsible for the 19-storey Centenary Plaza on Holliday Street, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a council improvement notice.

Birmingham City Council pursued legal action after Freehold Managers (Nominees) Limited, based at 250 Bishopsgate, London, failed to undertake the necessary improvement works required to make the building safe, as detailed in the improvement notice issued by the council in September 2023.

The improvement notice mandated the repair of fire doors, improvements to emergency lighting and the provision of suitable means of escape from the building in the event of a fire.

During sentencing at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court, a fine of £50,000 was imposed on the business, taking into account its early guilty plea, the company’s financial position, and the council’s legal costs.

After the Grenfell Tower fire, Birmingham City Council formed a team of specialist officers to address fire safety in high-rise buildings, funded by a government grant.

Councillor Nicky Brennan, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: “We have zero tolerance for owners of buildings delaying essential life-saving fire safety work. Delaying urgent safety measures is unacceptable. Lives are at risk. Where needed, we will use our full powers to protect residents.

“This decision represents a milestone in our drive to raise standards and hold building owners to account in Birmingham. It will also help set an example for other authorities across the country in safeguarding their residents’ interests using the powers available under housing legislation.

“This sentence sends a clear warning to all building owners operating in Birmingham that they must act swiftly in the interest of our residents’ safety first and always, otherwise we will take decisive action against you.”

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