Neighbours have rallied after being told they were not allowed doormats outside their flats because they were a trip and fire hazard.
Residents at Falcon Court, near Fuller's Hill in Great Yarmouth have complained they were told mats outside their front doors were not in compliance with health and safety regulations.
Shirley Brigham, 67, who has lived ain her flat for 11 years, said people win the community housing scheme had been issued warning letters for everything from hanging a wind chime outside their front door, to leaving an umbrella outside to dry.
She said: 'It is crazy. I know it sounds petty, but it feels like we are being bullied. It's as if we are being spied on because everything you do you get a letter about.'
She added: 'An elderly lady had used her vacuum cleaner and put the dust in a bag. She did not want to make the trip all the way down the stairs there and then, so left it outside. But someone came along and she got a letter saying she would be fined £80 next time.'
Barbara Sole, 61, has lived in the building for 16 years. She said: 'It is horrible. It is like talking to a brick wall trying to explain to them.'
Other items residents have been asked to remove include net curtains, pots, bikes and shoes.
Ms Brigham also said she had raised concerns about stairwell safety issues two years ago, and despite reassurances something would be done, not all the work has been completed.
In September 2014 she received a letter stating non-slip stairwell grips would be replaced with high visibility grips and outdoor steps would be safety-marked with yellow lines.
In a statement, Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: 'As a landlord, the borough council is legally obliged to carry out and regularly review the fire risk assessments for its buildings, which identify risks which could cause or exacerbate a fire.
'The council must then take steps to manage or mitigate any risk. To ensure tenants' maximum safety, the council's policy at Falcon Court and other similar buildings is that the communal stairwells are kept clear of items, as these could help to spread a fire and/or present an obstacle for tenants and their visitors escaping through the smoke in the event of a fire.
'The borough council is, however, willing to discuss individual items with tenants. The fire risk assessment for Falcon Court is due to be reviewed soon.'
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