Xmas decorations and fire safety in apartment blocks in Portsmouth

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority has defended Portsmouth City Council over its decision to prohibit Christmas wreaths in communal areas.

In recent days, Portsmouth City Council has attracted national media attention after enforcing its policy banning combustible materials from communal areas in blocks of flats.

It emerged last week that a council tenant living in a block of flats received a letter instructing them to remove a Christmas wreath from their front door or face its removal by council staff, with a £25 fee to reclaim it.

No fines or charges were issued and the release fee is avoidable and non-mandatory.

The decision prompted strong criticism from local councillors, residents and the national press, with many arguing the precaution was lacking in Christmas spirit.

In response, the council acknowledged in national media coverage that the policy may appear “Grinchy”, but emphasised its zero-tolerance approach to keeping communal areas, such as hallways and stairwells, clear for fire safety reasons. It clarified that the rule does not apply to houses.

The policy follows updated guidance from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service and legislation introduced in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the 2017 fire that claimed 72 lives, primarily social housing tenants.

Responding to the controversy, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Landlords have a legal duty to maintain escape routes in the communal areas of their buildings. This includes keeping them virtually sterile and free from combustible materials.

“It is up to the landlord to determine their policy on achieving virtually sterile communal areas, and this will vary depending on the circumstances of the dwelling.”

A Portsmouth City Council spokesperson said: “This is a national housing issue, not a Portsmouth issue.

“The policy requiring council housing where internal communal areas are shared, including doors in shared spaces, to remain clear of all personal possessions, was introduced in April 2024, following consultation with residents and advice from the fire authority, and is in line with recent national guidance which emerged following findings from the Grenfell enquiry.

“The approach is standard practice across the housing sector and is not unique to Portsmouth City Council.

“This applies to all personal possessions, not just Christmas items, and is designed to prevent damage to fire doors and keep escape routes safe for everyone.

“Most of our residents understand why this policy is in place. We have 1000 blocks of flats and are currently engaging with around 40 tenants about removing personal items in communal areas.

“Portsmouth City Council supports residents celebrating Christmas and other occasions, and we welcome the display of wreaths and other decorations in windows, on private balconies, and inside homes.”

Portsmouth is not alone in enforcing such restrictions. There have been other examples of Christmas wreaths being banned by social housing providers, housing associations and even retirement living complexes.

In 2011, Brighton and Hove City Council wrote to council flat tenants asking them not to place wreaths in communal areas due to fire safety concerns.

On 23 December 2022, it was reported that North Northamptonshire Council banned wreaths in communal areas for the same reason.

In 2019, Southampton City councillors urged Radian Homes, now part of the Abri Housing Association, to reconsider its policy banning Christmas decorations in communal areas.

In 2021, Hyde Housing, which runs a retirement complex in Kent, ordered retirees to remove wreaths from doors and trees from communal areas or face charges of up to £120 for their removal.