Council demand removal of 'fire risk' doormats that they provided

Kirklees Council has been carpeted for putting mats outside people’s flats – then ordering them to remove them because they’re a fire hazard. Robert Leighton, of Albion Court, Heckmondwike, said Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH) put down doormats in the block of flats in July.

Kirklees Council then wrote to people saying they had breached tenancy agreements by putting mats outside their doors in the communal area. Mr Leighton contacted the council, saying KNH had put them there, and received an apology – but nobody has been to take them away, leaving tenants confused and upset.



He said: “The mats are breaking fire regulations – you are not supposed to have anything in communal areas. Kirklees said if we don’t get rid of the mats they might charge us for taking them away. But if we do get rid of them we might get in trouble for destroying council property. We don’t know what to do.”

Mr Leighton said an elderly woman who lived in the block of flats was in tears when she received the letter from Kirklees. He said: “I am the only one who got a letter of apology. It is a lot of nonsense. It has been a farce from the word go.” A KNH spokeswoman said; “We are very sorry if the letters about removing door mats from Albion Court have caused upset or confusion. However, we hope tenants understand that we need to do what we can to keep everyone safe.”