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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Landlord told us to take political poster down

465 replies

Thedriftofstars · 21/11/2017 13:56

We live in a nice rented house. Been here for three years, no problems whatsoever. We both work full time, have two DC. Just your average family and have never caused any problems! We take most minor maintenance on ourselves as well. Have yearly inspections from the letting agents, however last week after the inspection the LA told me the LL wanted to come inspect the property for himself.
So when he came round, he explained he wasn't happy with the Labour Party poster we have displayed in our front room window. DH and myself are both active in our local Labour Party, and do a lot of leafleting, etc, so are known by the neighbours as the go to people for involvement with the party.
The landlord said he doesn't want his house being used to promote politics, particularly when it's not something he supports himself. Confused
AIBU to think he has no right to tell us what we can and cannot display when we pay the rent? There is nothing in our tenancy agreement about it, and he is fine with us having photos, paintings and so on hanging on the walls, as well as letting us redecorate to our tastes!

OP posts:
specialsubject · 21/11/2017 14:18

None of his business. Not in tenancy agreement, and probably an unenforceable term if it was.

His house, your home. He needs to recognise that.

I'm a landlord.

sunshinesupermum · 21/11/2017 14:18

Jinglebellhell17 has the right advice

specialsubject · 21/11/2017 14:18

Well done on bringing out the knee jerk bleaters, BTW.

Original poster
Thedriftofstars · 21/11/2017 14:19

caper not at all because I believe in democracy, and that everyone has the right to support a political party of their choosing, regardless of if those beliefs align with mine. As far as I'm concerned, if I were a LL I wouldn't mind what my tenants were doing as long as it was nothing illegal and they were looking after the house.

OP posts:
Jinglebellhell17 · 21/11/2017 14:19

He also may refuse to give you a good reference which will make finding a short term let even more tricky....I’d swallow my pride

LRDtheFeministDragon · 21/11/2017 14:20

How very odd of him. If he had the tenancy agreement drawn up by anyone who knew a tiny bit about these things, he'd have known it's common to include a clause about not displaying posters. He either didn't bother to do the thing properly, or he forgot. His problem.

LivininaBox · 21/11/2017 14:20

Of course he can't tell you to take it down, how ridiculous. Get a life size cut out of Jeremy Corbyn and put it in the front garden.

Viviennemary · 21/11/2017 14:20

It's a tricky one. I can see both points of view here. If I was a tenant I'd think I had the right to put up a poster. But if I was a landlord I wouldn't want my property used to advertise policies I didn't agree with. Not sure how this would stand in law. Your landlord could just not renew your tenancy after the six months but I doubt he could evict you if there was nothing in the agreement. Not worth the hassle. I'd just take it down.

FizzyGreenWater · 21/11/2017 14:21

No, it is none of his business.

counterpoint · 21/11/2017 14:21

There will be something in your contract about not doing anything to affect neighbours or to use the property for anything associated with a business.

You've said that you are the go-to person so this can be viewed as a business.

You are promoting a business - that of the Labour Party.

I would argue that you can get away with a political party poster during election time as that is expected but when you continue to advertise this business using another person's premises than you are in the wrong.

Ohayohay · 21/11/2017 14:21

Tenants essentially have no protection at all, so he can evict you for this if he wants (after giving you 2 months' notice). That's how great renting in this country is. So either you call his bluff (getting new tenants is a hassle and a risk) or you take the poster down. Once you're ready to give HIM notice of leaving, why not put more posters up.
But if you want to rent again, be careful, as he could refuse to give a landlord's reference.

Original poster
Thedriftofstars · 21/11/2017 14:23

counter it is not a business, I am getting no financial gain out of it. I have links with the local Labour Party because I agree with their policies and I'm a paid up member. I don't get paid by them to do anything, it's all voluntary Confused

OP posts:
counterpoint · 21/11/2017 14:24

You are also using the LL's property from which to receive, store and distribute business leaflets from what you have said.

That would be against something in the tenancy agreement for sure.

brasty · 21/11/2017 14:25

If there is nothing in the contract, then none of his business.

RhiannonOHara · 21/11/2017 14:26

None of his business as it's not in your tenancy agreement.

To get posters like counter off your case, though, maybe check up on the law re leafletting/storing leaflets at your house? I'm sure it's fine, but it's worth knowing where you stand.

Mummyoflittledragon · 21/11/2017 14:26

Landlord myself. It costs a hell of a lot of money for ll to change tenants due to recent legislation changes. Hopefully they wouldn’t bother. It’s a mainstream party. Do you have a letting agent? You could check with them on the legality. I know the agent works for the ll but that doesn’t mean you can’t ask this question.

Viviennemary · 21/11/2017 14:26

If you have the poster up all year round and your house is the neighbourhood headquarters for the Labour party I think your landlord does have cause for complaint. A poster up a few weeks before the general election is a different thing altogether.

brasty · 21/11/2017 14:26

FFS it is not against any tenancy agreement to have leaflets in your house that are you going to distribute. People do talk shit here.

counterpoint · 21/11/2017 14:26

Many business do not pay. You are still promoting this party which is a business.

Btw - I am a labour supporter too so kindly stop giving LL's ammunition.

DJBaggySmalls · 21/11/2017 14:27

Its hardly an advert for the BNP Confused
Dont tenants have the right to enjoy their home any more? People are talking about a blacklist ffs.

Willswife · 21/11/2017 14:27

Nothing to do with him.

I do think it's odd to have a poster on display though, I'd assume you'd forgotten to take it down since the election!

PigletJohn · 21/11/2017 14:28

think how much shorter this thread would have been if you hadn't mentioned the party you support.

Many of the replies you've received (apart from the ones saying that a property-owner has feudal rights over plebeian tenants) are based on the entrenched political prejudices of their authors.

So can probably be disregarded.

ivykaty44 · 21/11/2017 14:29

your landlord is playing a dangerous game

If he now gives you notice this could be construed as politically motivated

notangelinajolie · 21/11/2017 14:29

Just take the posters down!

Wiggypudding · 21/11/2017 14:29

I noticed a lot of labour posters kept up round here after the election. I think initially it was because there was uncertainty and then they have been just kept up in general support. Certainly not an odd thing for the OP to do.