Mum told to insure trampoline - for £3m

But one Hampshire mum has been told to either insure her back garden trampoline for £3m – or it will be confiscated and possibly destroyed.

Stephanie Brett from Chandler’s Ford said she was stunned when a First Wessex housing officer – armed with a clipboard – ordered her to take down her trampoline .

She said: “To be honest, I just laughed and said ‘you are joking?’ and he said no. I was shocked but angry at the same time because it’s a communal garden. Everybody in the block has children and they all agreed to it.

“But he said it was an insurance risk and he said if someone falls off and hurts themselves they could be claiming from us [First Wessex], that they could claim up to £3m.

“It has a net and it is impossible to fall off. If trampolines were not safe why are they being sold?

Stephanie, 20, said she was told she could keep the trampoline if she insured it, but she said could never afford the premiums on a policy that would pay out millions of pounds.

The trampoline was a family present to be used by her two-year-old daughter Morgan-Lee but other children in the block are welcome to use it.

But despite her pleas a sticker was slapped on the trampoline which threatens removal within seven days.

If £50 is not paid in 28 days “the item will be disposed of”.

Yet this is not the first time the housing officer has whipped out his sticker book. Residents have been banned from having doormats because people could trip on them.

However First Wessex denied its health and safety rules are overzealous.

Carol Williams, operations director at First Wessex, said: “It is important for residents to have a pleasant and enjoyable living environment and we recognise there will be situations where individuals may wish to put children’s play equipment in their communal gardens.

“Where such items can be used and then put away at the end of each day, there is no problem.

“Where items are left out overnight and/or for a prolonged period of time, such as a trampoline, First Wessex has a duty of care and is liable should an accident or injury occur.

“Therefore once we become aware of such items, we have a responsibility to take action and ask residents to kindly put items away.

“In relation to door mats, as a responsible landlord we have a zero tolerance policy towards obstacles or fire hazards placed in communal areas that could be trip hazards, spread fire or fumes, or prevent residents from getting out of the building safely in an emergency.

“We need to remember that when a fire occurs, visibility may be impaired and we have a duty of care to make sure everyone is able to evacuate safely.”