A MEAN council ordered tenants to strip their garden of furniture and ornaments despite no complaints being filed.
And the miserable housing bosses even want a do-it-yourself pond in the shared space to be ripped out as well.
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But demands for items to be removed when not in use have enraged Norfolk residents who say they are a lifeline to their mental health.
Wendy Durham, a resident of the affected block in Rollesby, told EDP: “It feels like someone comes and scolds us all the time.
“Everyone suffered during the lockdowns.”
Chaos erupted after residents of Coronation Avenue received a letter saying tables, chairs and other furniture should be put away.
It was a kick in the teeth for pals Wendy, Mick Bartram and Phil McLean who use the garden to chat, socialize and cheer each other up.
If residents did not comply, the Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) threatened to remove the items themselves for health, safety and maintenance reasons.
Among the items in the council’s sights are duck ornaments. solar powered lighting and even a bird feeder.
Wendy, 49, called the orders ridiculous saying there was no place to store them.
And she blasted the council saying there was no way an outdoor table and chairs would fit in her one-bedroom flat, where she has lived for a year.
Meanwhile Mick, 59, has hit back at the ‘double standard’ as council house tenants with their own garden can keep items outside.
A GYBC spokesperson said they encourage the use of common areas but need items stored when not in use.
They added: “Unfortunately, we cannot allow tenants to store furniture permanently on GYBC housing lots.
“There are health and safety implications and also liability issues around insurance policies.
”We have written to tenants asking for things to be removed before any work is carried out in the area as previously the items had restricted the carrying out of maintenance work. ”
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What are your rights ?
Not knowing your gardening rights could land you in a bad argument with your landlord.
It is always best to spruce up the garden space with temporary or semi-permanent improvements, such as pots and garden furniture, which can be removed at the end of the tenancy if necessary.
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, it must carry a manufacturer’s label which must be permanent and undetachable.
All upholstered items must have fire resistant filler material and be tested otherwise they may be removed.
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