Thames Valley Housing Association sent workmen to remove sixteen wreaths from flats in West Ewell for Fire Safety reasons.
A spokesperson for the housing association commented - ‘Our main concern has always got to be the safety of our residents. We can see why this situation may seem ridiculous to our residents but we don’t allow anything to be left in the access area of our flats. We’re following advice from the fire brigade that this is the best way to make sure the area is free of material that can start or worsen a fire, give off poisonous gases or block people’s escape route. We worked with resident groups to agree this as the best approach to keeping everyone safe.'
Just to add to the festive cheer the housing association demanded £10 from tenants wishing for their wreaths to be returned.
Well, Merry Christmas.
You criticise the housing association but follow this through and how long before you are reading about deaths where the fire brigade or paramedics couldn't reach occupants because the access areas were blocked, or where an occupant or visitor sues the landlord or council because they tripped over something in the access areas ?
ReplyDelete(the clue is in the description - ACCESS areas)
Provided that the Housing Association wrote and warned the tenants of their obligations prior to action being taken, then I do not believe their action was inappropriate. As for the £ 10 charge for reclaiming their wreaths, well that might be a tad harsh - unless all the tenants were going to do was put them back in the access areas.