Christmas cancelled: Tenant forced to switch off festive lights at 10pm by ‘Scrooge’ landlord after neighbours lodge complaint

A “Scrooge” landlord has demanded that a festive-loving tenant must switch off his Christmas lights at 10pm every night

Tenant Michael Stonier, from Blythe Bridge, near Stoke-on-Trent, described housing association Homes Plus Group as the Charles Dickens character after neighbours complained about “light pollution”.

The 21-year-old has had Christmas lights and inflatables on display at his Blythe Bridge home since September, in a family tradition dating back 23 years.

However, this year’s display led to requests from Homes Plus Group for Stonier not to put the lights up outside the Ridgway Drive property until at least November 16 and to switch them off at 10pm every night.

He told Stoke-on-TrentLive: “The Christmas lights get everyone interested, it makes my community happier.

“I do it every year, dead early, and it doesn’t bother me how much the electricity is. It makes these people happy over Christmas.

“I’ve got more to put up yet and more new decorations are coming.

“As a family we feel victimised and pinpointed and feel we cannot even breathe in our own home. Homes Plus is acting like Scrooge.

“The reason we have decided not to decorate inside the property as we have done in the past is because plaster falls off the walls and ruins the carpets.

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In an email to Stonier’s mother, who is the named tenant, Homes Plus Group said: “I have been informed that the Christmas lights have gone up earlier than I asked, to confirm I did ask that the earliest they should be up is November 16.

“I will now be logging this as an incident when you have not followed my recommendations. I have also been notified that the lights are not being turned off at 10pm in line with what I asked for.

“I will again now document that you have failed to follow this instruction.

“You were aware that people had complained about the light pollution and the decorations going up so early in September.

“You were aware that someone had cut the fairy lights wire which would have given you an indication of how people in your community are feeling.

“I did explain that the lights were keeping your neighbours awake and turning the lights off at 10pm was a way to mitigate the complaints.

“I again ask that the lights are turned off at 10pm to mitigate light pollution when people are in bed.”

Executive director of housing and care Les Clarke told Stoke-on-TrentLive: “We know the festive period is a special time and we want everyone to be able to enjoy the celebrations. In the run-up to Christmas, we are sharing advice and guidance with our customers on how to celebrate safely and considerately.

“Whilst Christmas decorations can help to spread festive cheer, there is a danger that they can become a fire hazard and cause a nuisance to neighbours if care is not taken.

“The guidance we share from our local authorities and fire and rescue services advises on how you can minimise the dangers so that everyone can enjoy a safe and happy Christmas.”

GB News has approached Homes Plus Group to ask about Stonier’s case.