Anger over chalet safety checks

Sarah Carroll rents a Teignmouth hut

Beach hut tenants in Devon are angry they have got to complete four separate risk assessments on their chalets.

Teignbridge Council has told them they have to have carry out gas, electrical, fire and legionella safety tests on the properties.

One tenant said it was "preposterous" but the council said safety was a serious matter.

Sarah Carroll rents a Teignmouth hut but she says she may give the chalet up as the assessments are too much bother.

"We've had four letters from Teignbridge District Council - I think it's preposterous.

"We can't be doing with hassle - we will probably give it up. All this takes the fun out of having a beach hut."

Alan Connett says the authority is only carrying out its duty

But the leader of Teignbridge District Council, Alan Connett, said the authority was only carrying out its duty to inform tenants of their obligations under the law.

"It's the council's job to make sure people know what their obligations are.

"It's up to the occupants to decide whether they will do the right thing and have the checks done.

"But if they ignore them and something goes wrong they will have to account for themselves."