A SOUTHEND man was left "spitting feathers" after being ordered to tear down his Christmas lights display over safety concerns. 

For the last seven years, John Riley, 75, has been decorating his house for Christmas in Clifftown Parade, Southend.

It has become a hit with residents who look forward to his displays every year.

However, this year he was ordered to take them down by Priority Management, his letting agent, after concerns were raised about “health and safety”.

Mr Riley has now launched a petition to allow tenants to be allowed to display Christmas lights without fear of repercussions.

He said: “I was spitting feathers with having to take down my lights which had taken me two days to put up.

“I now have hundreds of pounds worth of lights, that I cannot use.

“Residents also look forward to them every year, and a lot are now equally upset.

“I understand that landlords and letting agents have responsibilities towards maintaining property standards.

“However, there can be a balance between preserving these standards and allowing tenants some freedom to celebrate holidays as they see fit.

“This is not just about one house or one tenant. It is about the spirit of Christmas and the ability for everyone to participate in spreading holiday cheer.”

It is believed the concerns were raised by an electrician who contacted the letting agency around the safety of the lights.

As a result the firm asked Mr Riley to remove lights and associated cabling.

A spokesman for Priority Management said: “In principle, Priority would have no problem with allowing a responsible tenant to erect Christmas lights on the property they are renting, provided all of the equipment involved had been certified as safe and the installation was carried out in a competent fashion so as not to risk any harm to residents, visitors and their homes.

“Should a tenant wish to erect Christmas lights in the shared areas of a rented property, they should first obtain permission from the landlord to use the landlord’s electrical supply.

“They should also provide the landlord or their agent with a written risk assessment showing that the proposed installation and any equipment used, was certified as safe and would not adversely affect the landlord’s fire and public liability insurance covering the residents at the premises and their homes.”

To sign the petition, visit https://www.change.org/p/allow-tenants-to-display-christmas-lights-in-rented-properties