House viewings - neighbour refuses to take down flag

[KayleighhMum]

Our house is up for sale and we have viewings commencing from tomorrow - 7 in total lined up over the course of the week.

Our neighbour hung a large England flag from his top window on Friday and it has remained up. DH saw him outside the front on Saturday and politely asked if he could take it down before Tuesday. He basically laughed and said if any prospective new neighbour dislikes the flag then they won’t be the sort of person he’d want living next to him. It remains up now.

I am concerned this would be off putting, but speaking to my mum earlier she thinks I am over thinking things and it wouldn’t make a difference if someone likes the house.

Do you think we should try and ask again or would you assume it shouldn’t put people off? We are semi detached so it will definitely be noticed.

No prior issues with this neighbour who has always been friendly etc.

A flag is a flag and according to people on here only a 'certain type' of people are chavvy enough to display any banners on their houses. The comment I was replying to actually including anything to do with birthdays in that category too. So it is the same.

It really doesn't

Why is our flag so offensive? I see them and I dont think 'oh they must be racist' the LGTBQ flag annoys me more because I cant wear anything Rainbow without people assuming (wrongly) that im a lesbian or bisexual.

I would 100% think it was chavvy and racist.
With the current movement taking place, I wouldn’t want to be in any way associated with it. I wouldnt consider any house with neighbours who think that’s a good idea. And I’m white British.

It would really put me off and I wouldn't pursue the purchase. However - you can't push it with your neighbour further - especially if they are a nice/decent neighbour.

Whether it puts people off or not is irrelevant as nothing you can do to change that if your neighbour refuses to take it down. The estate agent will give you feedback after viewings, so you'll get an idea if it is putting people off.

It would put me off but I'm Welsh so that's probably why 😅 you can't ask again though so it is what it is

I’m sorry but do lots of people on here not read the newspapers? The putting up of a St George’s flag this weekend (when not usually up unless for sports occasions) is totally in relation to anti-immigration protests. All those people saying ‘other countries can fly their flags’ are just shit-stirring or being obtuse. I wouldn’t buy a house next to this and neither would most of my friends and family. It mostly stinks of aggressive racism to me…. but that’s just my opinion too

100% this!

anyone who doesn’t see the problem, is the problem!

I’m sure by the time we next visit even more things will have been added to it. It’s a lovely garden. Lots of flowers and then giant bunny.

Well it would put me off buying the house. It wouldn't necessarily have put me off in the past but with all the Raise the Flags crap it would now

It’s off putting but there’s nothing you can do about it and I suspect he’ll leave it up longer if you keep mentioning it. Having said that, seven viewers is great and you must live in a desirable area, so hopefully someone will put in an offer. Very best of luck.

Also I have had the English and British flags up for various celebrations outside my house, on my car, painted on my face and on tshirts when travelling around the world to support the Olympic Games teams. This is different in every way….

Puerile. As is your comment.

Our neighbour has hoisted a Union Jack in “his” garden atop a large flagpole. I can see it always. I can hear it flapping in the wind. I’m really not sure what his point is. I’m not sure I want to know. (We live in Cheshire.)

No, it isn’t as purile as that. The flags are a result of “operation raise your colours” which is a campaign that has been founded by ex EDL members, Andy Saxon, Paul Golding and Tommy Robinson. Saxon and Golding are now leader and head of security for the far right Britain first party. All are well known fascist thugs with violence convictions, including the death of a man in a racist attack.

It would 100% put me off. You're stuck between a rock and a hard place though unfortunately as there's nothing you can do!

My husband and his friends, all of whom fly the Union flag, are veterans. They fought for everyone in this country over the course of long careers. How fucking dare you middle class mummies rush to judgement so quickly? I believe that says more about you than it does anyone choosing to fly their national flag.

OP, I’m not as shallow as the snobs on here and it wouldn’t put me off viewing your house.

Don't be so ridiculous.

Some very worrying cases of Nelson's Eye on this thread. I suspect its chronic and beyond help.

👏👏👏👏

It would put me off for sure. Is he just sports mad or obsessed with the migrants/reform/loves Nigel? No way I'd want to live next to someone like that. Sports i can handle as long as he takes it down the rest of the time.

He is being a prat but there's not much you can do about it. It's one way of creating an enclave or ghetto and it is intended to exclude people who don't agree - and you can see by the responses, it's working. I live in Northern Ireland where people will actually fight, break windows and wreck cars over dopey flags. I saw two Union flags hung upside down today in Newry, that's how much these jokers know.

We went to view a house last year. Next door was plastered with England flags and it put me right off. I'm Scottish, I'm not risking it. Equally though they/your neighbour can do what they like with flags. You are stuck. Maybe a fellow patriot will love it though.