To be apoplectic with rage over this?

[BenedictsCumberbitch]

Myself and Mr BC own a house that we used to live in that we now rent out. I'd say we are decent landlords, attending to any problems quickly as possible and availing ourselves to him 24 hours a day 7 days a week in case of emergency, despite also paying a letting agent do the leg work in such matters. Anyway there was a problem with the boiler which the tenant decided not to inform us about and get fixed himself (which is another thread altogether) and then asked to be reimbursed , for the sake of harmony we agreed to refund him the money based on the understanding this would not happen again. I went to the house today to collect the receipt and hand over the cash only to see that on the front door of MY PROPERTY he had stuck several National Front stickers with slogans such as 'Pensioners before Immigrants' and 'Proud to be British and White'. He wasn't in so I left the property after taking a photo on my phone and ringing the letting agent.

AIBU to consider giving him his notice over this, I'm raging that he thinks this is an acceptable way to behave and that he would deface our property in this way?

In that case BC it's a decision only you can make. You know you can get him out, you just need to work out if that's actually what you want to do, and if you decide to let him stay, under what terms.

I think you'd be very silly to throw out an otherwise good tenant because you despise his political views. Surely there is something in his lease which prevents him from advertising his political views outside of the property? You can ask him to remove the stickers, then leave it at that.

If you do throw him out then you have to accept that the next tenant (and you'll have to question them on their politics to ensure the same thing doesn't happen again) may share similar ideology to you but may wreck the place or cause you huge problems with disturbance to the neighbours.

There are far worse tenants than people with opposing views to you; non stop drummers, full time partiers, gang members, drug dealers, drug addicts pimps who want to use your house as a brothel, hoarders, filthy people and so on....

If you got the stickers taken down you'd still have a tennant who has brought pets into the property without your express permission and gotten people in to do work on it without your ok.

What's the rental market like near you?

I wouldn't ask him to take the stickers down (unless you think there's a genuine risk of brick through the window).

Iiuc, these groups thrive on perceived persecution of any kind, and it'll be fodder for pore lil' white man outrage round whatever vile websites he posts on.

Just my opinion, but if you don't want him there, get rid but don't say why.
If you want to state your disapproval of his beliefs, do so without suggesting you'd even think of discriminating against him even though it's legal.

The rental Market seems pretty buoyant but the house does have it's quirks (it's over 100 years old) but it does have the fact that it has a garden (which for a terraced house is unusual) and is very close to pretty much all the main roads in the area without being on a roundabout in it's favour. We are also having a huge hospital built within a mile or so of the house so rental opportunities should increase with junior doctors etc moving from outside the area looking for short term lets. The letting agent seems to think it would be let out again without much fuss and indeed it went within a week of it going on the Market initially.

How much longer does he have on his leave, I assume this is a 6 month AST.
When it comes around to next renewal just don't renew it and find a new tenant. Make sure the next lease is drawn up to prohibit the display of any political posters/items/documents on or in the premises.

YANBU
You are the landlord right?
So you dont have to give a reason to give him notice.
Give the twat notice and move on...

In all of our tenancy agreements, we have a standard clause that states that the appearance of the property must not be altered in anyway,even temporarily, it coves these sort of things.

we also have a clause about not causing any distress to the community,look in your small print, something will cover it.

Then I'd give notice. You might be able to get an extra £50+ a month in rent too.

This is my personal opinion and I don't mean to be judgey, but IMO he's only being a decent tenant for you because you are (presumably!) white. I'd have a massive problem with that.

You won't feel comfortable with him there now.

Morally it doesn't 'sit right' with you.

I say get rid of him, take any financial hit (if you can) and stand by your morals.

This racist, posing as politics shite should be challenged, every time.

Good Luck OP

No you're right Sastra both DH and I are pasty White and I'm sure that is the only reason that he has been 'good' tenant. I guess DH and I need to sit down and have a good chat tonight about what to do next.

Sounds like a plan. Now you know a bit more about where you stand with the legalities you two can come up with your next move. Best of luck, keep us posted!!

Yep, it's gonna come down to finances I guess, money we had put aside for things like a boiler upgrade and completing the double glazing might have to go instead on just paying the mortgage if we don't manage to get a tenant but that's the price you pay I suppose.

Sounds like you should be able to get a tenant in though? You've got a couple of month's and junior doctors will be looking around then too.

apoplectic!!! hahahahaha

you rented to a facist, bad luck!!!

It sucks and I can see why you are pissed off, however he is entitled to "quiet enjoyment" of the property.

Give him notice by all means - but check the tenancy agreement and keep it above board.

Thanks for that helpful insight porcamiseria.

Can I ask where the house is?

wonders if she could find a nice, decent LL off Mumsnet for her non-political, non-pet, non-child, non-dirty self and house-trained husband

North East

Oh poop

Pity we can move it South a bit and kind of into Zone 1 or Zone 2 in London

I am a good tenant, I am

I would be finding some reason to evict. I do understand everyone is entitled to their own views, but when its going to be me footing the bill for any repercussions of advertising said views, its not on and not happening I'm afraid.

That was my first concern. Eventually, people will start to target the house. Then who fixes up all the bricks and the dog poo through the windows

Yeah you're right bah this does not sit well with my 'owt for an easy life' philosophy.