A MEAN council has ordered tenants to strip their garden of furniture and ornaments despite not a single complaint being lodged.
And misery housing bosses even want a DIY pond in the shared space ripped out, too.
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But demands to remove items when not in use have left residents Norfolk furious who say they’re a lifeline for their mental health.
Wendy Durham, a resident in the affected block in Rollesby told EDP: “It feels like someone’s coming round and just telling us off all the time.
“Everybody suffered during the lockdowns.”
Chaos erupted after residents in Coronation Avenue received a letter saying tables, chairs and other furniture must be stored away.
It was a kick in the teeth for pals Wendy, Mick Bartram and Phil McLean who use the garden to chat, socialise and cheer each other up.
If residents failed to comply, Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) threatened to remove items themselves for both health and safety and maintenance reasons.
Among the items in the crosshairs of the council are duck ornaments. solar-powered lighting and even a bird table.
Wendy, 49, branded the orders as ludicrous saying there is no place to store them.
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And she lambasted the council saying there is no way a table and chairs would fit in her one-bedroom flat, where she’s lived for a year.
Meanwhile Mick, 59, lashed back at the “double standards” as council house tenants with their own garden get to keep items outside.
A GYBC spokesperson said they encourage use of communal spaces but need items stored away when not in use.
They added: “Unfortunately, we cannot permit tenants to store any furniture permanently on GYBC housing land.
“There are health and safety implications and also liability issues around insurance policies.
‘’We wrote to the tenants to request things were removed prior to work being done in the area because previously the items have restricted maintenance work from being carried out.’’
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What are your rights?
Not knowing your gardening rights could land you in a nasty row with your landlord.
It’s always best to beautify the garden space with temporary or semi-permanent improvements, such as pots and garden furniture, that can be removed at the end of tenancy if required.
But the most important point to remember is that you return the garden to its original state.
For furniture in a rental property to comply with the regulations they must carry a manufacturer’s label which must be permanent and non-detachable.
All upholstered items must have fire resistant filling material and past tests otherwise they could be removed.
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