Leeds doormat ban over fire safety fears
Doormats have been banned from a block of flats after the landlord claimed they posed a safety risk.
Residents at Brecon Court, Gipton, Leeds said the ban was "ridiculous" and "health and safety gone mad".
East North East Homes, which manages the flats for Leeds City Council, said doormats could "impede" the evacuation of the building in the event of a fire.
The housing association added it had the right to remove mats if residents ignored the ban.
One resident, Michael Dean, said: "In here everyone is over 60 and very house proud, I might add. They like to have a doormat outside their house.
"I just find it incredible. I don't knock health and safety, it is just when they go overboard with ridiculous ideas like this then you wonder whether the world has gone mad and the lunatics have taken over the asylum."
East North East Homes said: "The safety of our residents is our primary concern.
"Unfortunately, in a very small number of cases where items could impede evacuation in case of a fire, residents have not discussed this with us or have refused to move the items.
"In these cases we have the legal powers to remove the items to ensure the safety of all our tenants that live in multi-occupied properties."