Residents in flats told to down take pictures on communal walls over 'health and safety' breach

Residents of a block of flats have been ordered to take pictures down from communal walls – because they breach health and safety rules. Housing bosses have warned the tenants of nine properties on Underhill, Romiley, Stockport, the any ‘non-compliant’ photos and portraits will be removed during an inspection later today. They will then be stored for 28 days and destroyed if unclaimed.



Stunned residents were warned of inspection in a letter from social landlord Stockport Homes, which runs the building. It said ‘obstructive’ or ‘combustible’ items – including doormats as well as picture frames – were banned from communal areas because they could potentially pose a fire hazard. The letter, signed by neighbourhood housing officer Abbie Booth, said Stockport Homes was prepared to allow just two pictures in the entire ground floor corridor – one on each side of the hallway.

Residents say they have put up their own pictures to brighten up the corridors. The letter warns anyone who fails to do so will be in breach of their tenancy agreement. Resident Stewart Edge, 64, said he and his neighbours had been ‘gobsmacked’ by the warning. Mr Edge, who has lived in the block for 12 years, said: “It seems ridiculous. We were just trying to brighten up our home and we’re really hurt that we’re going to have to take them down.



“It’s very heavy-handed and I just can’t believe they see this as a priority and something they should be devoting time to enforcing. If a picture frame is a fire hazard then I don’t know where you draw the line. Surely sending out these pointless letters could be classed as a fire hazard as well? It’s just so over the top and bizarre it’s hard to know whether to laugh or actually get quite angry about it.” Stockport Homes was not available for comment.