State Specific Question About: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (DC)

I am a landlord of a 4-unit apartment building. My husband hung an American flag on the post on the side of the building on June 25 +/-. On June 26, I received an email from a tenant "wondering whether the American flag that now hangs right outside of our window is related to the 4th of July celebration or if it is meant to be there permanently. If the latter, I would like to talk about it some more, since it is a political expression with which I am not completely comfortable." I was out of town at boy scout camp with my sons and shocked by her email. I chose not to respond. On July 8, her husband (a lawyer) sends me an email "about the plans for the flag." What rights doi tenants have in DC to demand removal of a U.S. flag from the building I own? What rights do I have to hang a flag....permanently, if I want to? thanks.

You have got to be kidding me..... If you are offended by an American flag pack up and move.

Let them know that the flag will only be there temporarily until you finish painting the side of the building with stars and strips.

Will they be voting for Obama?

John

Dejay , that's a good one.

Dear Tenant,

There are no plans to remove the flag currently hanging from the building.

I had a 40 ft pole and nice flag for several years. On the night of Bush's second election, the pole was vandalized and broken. I was quite upset.

I would suggest that these folks stop getting mail. Every USPO has a flag flying outside.

I hang an American flag in every single rental I own.

Only one single time have I ever had a Tenant challenge the flag, asking it to be removed.

I told her she could fly a Peace flag next to it if she wanted, but the flag would remain.

Anderson that would make me determined to make their time in my dwelling as short as possible.

I have the opposite problem, an otherwise excellent tenant that is in #9, & allowing a ratty stringy flag to fly from the established pole there. They draped the half circle flags from the porch railings, & I made the comment to DH, that I'd rather they had spent the money on a new flag. He has spoken to them, & they are suppose to get a new one.

I love our flag, but here is another view..How big is this flag? Like AllyM suggested, they like the view outside the window so why not put up a pole, maybe move the flag?

There was a man here in Western PA who was challenged by his HOA about his flag, sure the media picked it up, everyone was in a uproar until they saw the flag was HUGH and fluttered over the Townhome walkway.

Size does matter..

Likely troll, but John had it if true.

I doubt the problem is the view since the email specifically said "it's a political expression with which I am not completely comfortable."

What would be your response if you had repainted the building a different color, and the tenants "were not comfortable" with it?

It's your building, and it's your decision. Yeah, it's a business, but I would never let my tenants tell me what I could and could not do with my own building.

Boy, some of you so afraid that some will be offended? P.C. concerns to max.. Why do commercial establishments fly flag? Send a message that their business is pro USA and not afraid to offend those that disagree. You PC folks so afraid to offend, that you would prefer to acknowledge the country is not better than the worst. To be "national" is to think you are pro USA as public ed has trained you to think a bad thing.

I think your biggest problem is that you rented to a lawyer.

I have been to war for that flag and for what it stands. Only two times in my adult life have I ever welled up in tears, when my dog died and the playing of our National Anthem and the raising of the flag shortly upon my return. I fly a flag on my house.

Flag stays!

And as for the the threads of "LLing is a bisiness" I pick and choose who I do my business!

Maybe they want-out of the lease and he is trying to find something over which to make a stink about.

Never rent to anyone in the legal profession--for OBVIOUS reasons.

OP never responded.

I was right.

Obama supporter.

Once I move into my duplex, I plan to hang an American flag from my side and a Kentucky state flag from the other (many of the homes and businesses downtown do this); symmetry.