A couple of bits of advice Sx
First Dk is right never stop paying unless you want to be either on the street or on the wrong end of the law
Next all buildings that are classed as rented to tenants need an alternative fire escape but if the place is sorted by the School/College it is a different thing entirely (they seem to be a law unto themselfs
)
If the landlord is running the place Ilegaly he's in a lot of trouble (but he probably won't care cause he's a crook) but in some buildings it is not possible to fit a second fire escape so the landlord has to put other measures in place (higher rated fire doors/sprinkler systems )
The next one is the biggie if you are getting the place very cheap you have to look at it one of three ways you can go elsewhere pay more rent and get two exits or you can give the lanlord whatfor and get things changed and then end up paying him more rent or getting kicked out so he can rent it for more (now that it's legal)
The third way is to find a window on the other side that you can reach the ground from and next time theres a fire chuck a chair through it and get out that way (might upset the landlord
)
If it was suggested or recomended by the school/college then go to them and complain bitterly about endangerment of life and they will sort it
But sadly most bad landlords will just say P*ss off and live somewhere else if you don't like it (not right I know but a sad fact of life that the law does very little in this area)
If your really peeved with the Landlord go to the relevent building regs dept at the council and lodge a complaint but remember if they decide it's a major problem they will shut him down and you'll be looking for somewhere to live again
Lastly Buy a Fire Extinguisher
Jason
Ps the fire wasn't started by Poi by any chance was it