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Common household item banned from Sydney apartment: 'Remove it'

A Sydneysider has questioned building management after they received a letter of warning instructing residents to remove any doormats from outside their apartments.

The notice requests that all residents in the apartment block must keep common areas clear and this means no parcels or personal items are to be kept outside their home.

Doormats are considered a common item in many homes, and are designed to place outside your door. So the dweller appeared confused as to why they were suddenly banned.

The notice was issued for an apartment complex in Sydney. Source: Reddit/Getty
The notice was issued for an apartment complex in Sydney. Source: Reddit/Getty

Sharing a photo of the notice on Reddit, the person simply wrote, "doormats are banned," presumably making fun of the baffling rule.

"It is essential that all the residents and their guests do not leave or store any item on the floors of common area and corridors," the notice read.

"This includes doormats, delivery boxes, parcels, toys, furniture, scooter and all other personal items.

"Can you please have them removed or they will be removed on your behalf."

But many pointed out it's"standard for apartments in NSW", and it all comes down to doormats being a safety hazard in shared areas.

"That's very common with strata. It's because the mats can cause a trip hazard if they're in a part of the corridor which people pass to evacuate, and they can also prevent the fire-rated front door from closing," one explained.

"We had one of those notices a few years ago - no doormats. Our building management is pretty ruthless. I suppose if someone trips on them they can sue the building?" another said.

But the original poster said their building has "little alcoves in front of every apartment door", which is where they keep the mats.

"So no one walks over it as they walk through the hallway," they added, suggesting it isn't a hazard.

Doormats banned under NSW law

According to its website, the Department of Communities and Justice - Housing (DCJ Housing) "does not allow any personal items to be placed or stored in the common areas or stairwells (including fire stairwells) of unit complexes, high rise dwellings or any properties with shared access".

This includes bikes, pot plants, doormats, prams or any other personal items.

"Common areas must be kept clear to allow other residents and visitors to move through these areas. Anything in the common areas can be a fire or trip hazard," the website reads.

Door mats are considered a fire hazard and are banned in common areas under NSW legislation. Source: Getty
Door mats are considered a fire hazard and are banned in common areas under NSW legislation. Source: Getty

"If items are left in the common areas or stairwells, we will generally arrange for the removal of these items without notice.

"These items may be disposed of and we are not then responsible for the cost. You may also be charged for the cost of disposing of the items."

The regulations caused some to lash out on Reddit, with one slamming NSW as a "nanny state."

"They regulate absolutely everything and treat us like utter morons," they wrote.

Someone else said the rule was "dumb".

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