To speak to the housing association about my neighbour.

[livedtotellthetale]

I live in a small block of 5 flats, have lived there for 5 years they were new build when I moved in. 3/4 of the flats are private and our 1/4 housing association, about 3 months ago a new neighbour moved in opposite me a young man aged about middle 20s, first thing that worried me is that he has a fairly big dog in the flat (pets are not meant to be allowed) but it hasn't caused me any issues as noise smell its not aggressive and he seems to care for the dog and love it and we have plenty of palks nearby that he takes it for walks. So I have just left it.
he now has put a big union jack out on his balcony plus a big stuffed toy (that looks like his dog) that stay on the balcony, we aren't allowed washing etc on the balcony's, it looks terrible and really makes the flats look bad, also its a really multicultural area and feel it could be seen in the wrong way. Also this is my concern me and my dd have seen young boys aged about 10 11 coming from his flat and him saying if you want to visit the dog come any time, I am not assuming anything bad is happening but it just doesn't fee right.
I have spoken to him briefly a couple of times just neighbour hello asked about the dog etc and get the impression he might have leaning difficulties or some other problems. I don't know what to do, would you raise these concerns or just but out.

[livedtotellthetale]

bump

[thecatneuterer]

I would just butt out.

[Theycallmemellowjello]

If you're not comfortable about the flag and it's against the rules, then yanbu to report that. They might find out about the dog when they go round, but that's his problem.

You can't report him for having children round. If I were you I'd have a word and ask him about the kids - at least then he knows he's on your radar. But the HA might kick him out if he refuses to give up the dog anyway.

[SunnyBaudelaire]

well at least it wasn't a St Georges Flag, was my first thought.
I think we must live in the only country in the world where flying your own nation's flag is construed as offensive....
I would leave well alone tbh.

[WayneRooneysHair]

Butt out, I haven't read anything that's worrying.

The flag is a bit chavvy but nothing you can do.

[Theycallmemellowjello]

I wouldn't be comfortable about the flag btw and agree that some people will see it as aggressive, whether or not it's meant that way.

[msgrinch]

Keep your big beak out.

[shipinabottle]

I suspect I will be the lone voice disagreeing with you but yabu regarding the flag ,stuffed toy and his dog.
It hasn't caused you any problems so why make trouble for someone who you say takes care of his dog and obviously loves it?


You say you suspect he has learning difficulties so this may be why he isn't aware of saying to 10/11 year olds come and see the dog anytime could have people feeling uneasy.
I would just keep an eye on children going into his flat but again it could be totally innocent but the rest of the stuff does not affect you so why complain

[TwinkieTwinkle]

When you say private do you mean that yourself and the other residents (apart from this man) rent your flats from private landlords?

[Theycallmemellowjello]

well, the flag does affect her, since she says it makes the building look bad. If all the other flats are not allowed to dry washing on their balconies for aesthetic reasons then why should he be allowed to break the rules just because he feels like it?

[shipinabottle]

He isn't drying washing he is flying a flag!
It only effects op as she is being snobby thinking its lowering the tone of the neighbourhood.
He could disapprove of things she has on her balcony for all she knows.

[Toooldtobearsed]

Jesus, Msgrinch is there really any need for that? Op is concerned, asks for points of view, not to be snarled at!

Op, personally, I will leave it. No doubt HA will be in area at times and will see the flag. If they want to take it further, they can, with no input from you.

As for boys visiting, don't be too suspicious, it is probably innocent, but next time you chat, just drop into the conversation ' You have a lot of visitors! Your dog gets more visitors than I do!' Followed by a warm smile.

His response will hopefully put your mind at rest.

[WayneRooneysHair]

Yeah I'm not sure how flying a flag comes under the don't hang any washing on the balcony rule.

[Starlightbright1]

So a dog doesn't bother you but a UK flag does...No idea why him having a flag causes you such a problem.

Let him fly his flag with pride

[Theycallmemellowjello]

Ah, well, I was presume that if you're not allowed to hang out wet sheets, you're also not allowed to hang out dry ones. Maybe I'm wrong in presuming that. But I think it would be fine for OP to speak to the HA - if flags are allowed then they'll just tell her that and obviously in that case there's nothing she can do.

[SunnyBaudelaire]

if it was any other country's flag, what would you think?

[livedtotellthetale]

Ok am going to leave it for the time being, might mention to him in passing that the flag is going against the housing association rules and don't want him to get into trouble, it does mention flags (any nationality) not being hung, But the stuffed dog and flag do make the front of the flats look scruffy, and this might sound snobby as I live in the housing association end but you can tell the private end compared to the housing association end and I want the front of my building to look nice.

[LBOCS]

Tbf, most leases do say that signage shouldn't be displayed either - which this is. And it is to keep the look of the development.

Perhaps ask the HA when they'll be doing their next inspection?

[Signlake]

Though I don't really see the point, what on earth is wrong with displaying an English flag in England? Would you be less concerned if it were another flag? I have no idea why it matters if it's a multicultural area or not

[cosmicglittergirl]

Are these boys unaccompanied?

[livedtotellthetale]

Hi yes the boys are unaccompanied, My neighbour is rather child like in his ways.

[Signlake]

Also just to add, I read that as St Georges Flag for some reason. Still unreasonable to think it's inappropriate to fly a British flag though. I don't see why people would be offended by this

[TwinkieTwinkle]

I don't like flags flapping around outside houses or flats but I fail to see what the problem is hanging the british flag in Britain? Why does that bother you?

[livedtotellthetale]

Any flag hung out on a bit of sting so looks very scruffy would bother me, as this is the front of my home and its not in keeping with the rest of the buildings to have a big stuffed animal and a flag on the balcony.

[TwinkieTwinkle]

You specifically mentioned it being a Union Jack and some worry about multiculturalism. I agree flags can look tacky but I fail to see a Union Jack as offensive to anyone