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Post by monklady123 on Jun 18, 2024 14:33:26 GMT
This is a current debate going on in my area due to this contentious county board election that's today. Several young people are renting a house here and the home owner, who also lives here, has been putting up political signs for his preferred candidate in front of his own house and in front of the rental that he owns. The renters do not want that candidate and are annoyed that people will think they personally support the candidate whose yard sign is out front. My thought is that the home owner owns that property and can basically do whatever he wants with it (unless there was something in the lease that said he couldn't). On the other hand I understand the annoyance of the renters, and I do think it's kind of obnoxious that the owner is doing this. One reason he's put them up, I'm sure, is that this house is on the main walking route that the neighborhood takes to get to the metro stop. So he probably figures that everyone will see the signs and...what? switch immediately to his favorite candidate? lol. As if we haven't been absolutely inundated with campaign stuff for months now.  We are all well aware about who is who, and who we're voting for. Anyway, I'm on the side of the renters because the landlord's candidate is not mine. haha  Legally though I probably wouldn't have a leg to stand on if I lived there and tried to remove the signs. What do you all think? |
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Tearisci
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Post by Tearisci on Jun 18, 2024 14:39:31 GMT
Wow, that is a tough one. I feel for the renters but as the owner, I guess he can do what he wants to do with the property and there's not a lot they can do to stop him. I'm a renter and would be pissed if my landlord did that although my landlord is my sister and we have the same political views  |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jun 18, 2024 14:44:21 GMT
As the renter, I would put my own signs up inside the front windows. I’ve seen people do that before when they don’t want signs outside that might get defaced.
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twinsmomfla99
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Jun 18, 2024 15:10:22 GMT
Typically, when you rent property, it includes the yard around it, and you have the right to “full use and enjoyment” of it unless restricted in the lease. I would argue that the landlord is limiting the use and enjoyment of the yard by putting signs in it, and especially if the tenants find the signs objectionable.
If I were a tenant in this situation with no restrictions in the lease, I would remove the signs and notify the campaign that they can pick them up. That way I wouldn’t be “stealing” them or destroying someone else’s property.
If the signs showed up again—lather, rinse, repeat.
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lindas
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Post by lindas on Jun 18, 2024 15:12:14 GMT
I’d probably be a little passive-aggressive and stick a sign right next to his that says “Landlord’s choice, not ours”.
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Post by epeanymous on Jun 18, 2024 15:13:03 GMT
Typically, when you rent property, it includes the yard around it, and you have the right to “full use and enjoyment” of it unless restricted in the lease. I would argue that the landlord is limiting the use and enjoyment of the yard by putting signs in it, and especially if the tenants find the signs objectionable. If I were a tenant in this situation with no restrictions in the lease, I would remove the signs and notify the campaign that they can pick them up. That way I wouldn’t be “stealing” them or destroying someone else’s property. If the signs showed up again—lather, rinse, repeat. I have only rented apartments without yards, but this is right, I think—when you rent a home, your lease entitles you to exclude other people, including the owner, from use of the property. The homeowner can’t, eg, park in the driveway or show up and sunbathe in your yard. |
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peabay
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Post by peabay on Jun 18, 2024 15:19:18 GMT
A friend of mine owns a small business and it makes her insane that her landlord puts up political signs in front.
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Sarah*H
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Post by Sarah*H on Jun 18, 2024 15:25:37 GMT
My terrible renters who didn't even pay rent during the pandemic stuck Trump signs all over the property and I didn't do or say anything. It was their home and they had the right to post whatever signs they wanted. Idiots.
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compeateropeator
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Post by compeateropeator on Jun 18, 2024 15:30:49 GMT
Well my vote is for the renter unless it was in the signed lease that no political signs are allowed (and then I wouldn’t expect the homeowner to display one either). If I am renting I am assuming it includes all of the property for me to do as I please as long as it is legal, I don’t destroy, it is kept up, and not designated specifically by my lease.
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snyder
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Post by snyder on Jun 18, 2024 15:37:17 GMT
As a renter, you are leasing that property and the hdomeowner really doesn't have the right to put signs up in your leased yard.
By law a landlord can't just walk into your home unless it is an emergency, so I go with they can't put signs up either as that's not an emergency.
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sueg
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Post by sueg on Jun 18, 2024 15:41:51 GMT
Political signs on private property are not a thing here, but our lease gives us full rights to our front yard and the owner can’t enter without permission, so it wouldn’t happen here .
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samantha25
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Post by samantha25 on Jun 18, 2024 16:10:17 GMT
Is it an HOA community? Usually there are rules about political signage, like can only put up signs x weeks before election, etc. If I was the renter, I would put up a sign in the window.
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pinklady
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Post by pinklady on Jun 18, 2024 16:30:14 GMT
I’d be pissed. I’d remove it and tell the landlord not to put up another one. To be quite honest this would make me consider moving when the lease was up.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jun 18, 2024 16:40:09 GMT
Renter here. My lease states NO SIGNS, inside or outside!
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 18, 2024 17:07:22 GMT
When DH was active duty, we rented many, many times over the years. Our lease never forbade signs in the yard, but I never had this issue either. In this case, I’d say that the renter has the right of property, not the owner.
I’ve never put a political sign in my yard, but I may this year. We can’t let that Cheeto get re-elected.
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Post by Citygirl on Jun 18, 2024 17:39:43 GMT
This is interesting. We own a duplex rental property and it states in the lease that the lessee cannot put up any signs including political. It usually varies by state but generally the landlord can enter common areas unannounced.....basement, hallway, yard. I had to take a landlord class in our city and they actually encourage you to show up periodically to the common areas to check on your property.
I'm not sure if the tenant can legally do anything in regards to the landlord putting up signs but at the very least this could definitely cause issues with a tenant and why you would want to piss off a good tenant is beyond me.
If I was renting and the owner put up a Trump sign it would definitely disappear!
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Post by lisae on Jun 18, 2024 17:54:57 GMT
I'm with the renter. Unless there is something in the lease that states the owner can advertise anything in the yard except 'for rent' when the lease is almost up, then I think the renter shouldn't have to have signs in their yard they don't believe in.
What if the owner had a strong religious affiliation and put up signs about that in the yard. The leasee might be of another faith and would be really offended. It may be the owner's property, but is the renter's home.
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Post by hop2 on Jun 18, 2024 19:43:10 GMT
Typically, when you rent property, it includes the yard around it, and you have the right to “full use and enjoyment” of it unless restricted in the lease. I would argue that the landlord is limiting the use and enjoyment of the yard by putting signs in it, and especially if the tenants find the signs objectionable. If I were a tenant in this situation with no restrictions in the lease, I would remove the signs and notify the campaign that they can pick them up. That way I wouldn’t be “stealing” them or destroying someone else’s property. If the signs showed up again—lather, rinse, repeat. This |
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Post by epeanymous on Jun 18, 2024 19:45:39 GMT
This is interesting. We own a duplex rental property and it states in the lease that the lessee cannot put up any signs including political. It usually varies by state but generally the landlord can enter common areas unannounced.....basement, hallway, yard. I had to take a landlord class in our city and they actually encourage you to show up periodically to the common areas to check on your property. I'm not sure if the tenant can legally do anything in regards to the landlord putting up signs but at the very least this could definitely cause issues with a tenant and why you would want to piss off a good tenant is beyond me. If I was renting and the owner put up a Trump sign it would definitely disappear! I don’t know rental law but I am guessing there is a difference between a multi-unit building and a single-family home; the latter doesn’t have common space. |
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Post by questioning on Jun 18, 2024 19:52:24 GMT
As the renter, I would put my own signs up inside the front windows. I’ve seen people do that before when they don’t want signs outside that might get defaced. Hmmm good idea. I'd have to judge my relationship with my landlord before doing it. OP this is a good question. Overall it seems like bad form as landlord. I saw an upside-down US flag flying in our neighborhood. I'm ready to ban all nontraditional flag use, it made me so angry. Using a symbol belonging to all of us is more offensive than a candidate sign IMHO. |
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Post by questioning on Jun 18, 2024 19:56:25 GMT
When DH was active duty, we rented many, many times over the years. Our lease never forbade signs in the yard, but I never had this issue either. In this case, I’d say that the renter has the right of property, not the owner. I’ve never put a political sign in my yard, but I may this year. I posted about my neighbor and then read this. I hadn't thought about those have served. Does using a US flag in distress as a political statement cut a little deeper? I'm sorry. We can’t let that Cheeto get re-elected. |
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Post by Citygirl on Jun 18, 2024 20:04:14 GMT
This is interesting. We own a duplex rental property and it states in the lease that the lessee cannot put up any signs including political. It usually varies by state but generally the landlord can enter common areas unannounced.....basement, hallway, yard. I had to take a landlord class in our city and they actually encourage you to show up periodically to the common areas to check on your property. I'm not sure if the tenant can legally do anything in regards to the landlord putting up signs but at the very least this could definitely cause issues with a tenant and why you would want to piss off a good tenant is beyond me. If I was renting and the owner put up a Trump sign it would definitely disappear! I don’t know rental law but I am guessing there is a difference between a multi-unit building and a single-family home; the latter doesn’t have common space. Yes definitely a difference. The owner could not enter the single family home without notice, similar to not being able to enter the actual unit without proper notice. I think it can get tricky with the yard. We never have tenants do lawn maintenance/snow removal but it’s all outlined in the lease. |
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Gennifer
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Post by Gennifer on Jun 18, 2024 20:13:36 GMT
Renters should be able to choose.
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Post by melanell on Jun 18, 2024 20:17:12 GMT
My overwhelming thought is that all of those signs are a waste of paper and resources. I don't understand why people bother, given just as you said---who's going to change their mind based on a sign in someone's yard.
In this specific situation, I think it's crappy for a landlord to do that given that they are renting out part of their property. I think neither the renter, nor the owner should put out signs. When I rented, that was a rule--the only signs allowed, were celebratory signed for a special event, and they needed to be taken down after 72 hours. So graduation signs, birthday signs, etc. were fine. But no political signs, no business signs, etc. were allowed. And the landlord abided by their own rules. They only ever put up "for rent" signs.
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Post by melanell on Jun 18, 2024 20:23:40 GMT
A friend of mine owns a small business and it makes her insane that her landlord puts up political signs in front. That would make me even more aggravated than having them in front of my home. My gosh, that could negatively affect business. I would be really unhappy about that! |
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 18, 2024 20:26:13 GMT
When DH was active duty, we rented many, many times over the years. Our lease never forbade signs in the yard, but I never had this issue either. In this case, I’d say that the renter has the right of property, not the owner. I’ve never put a political sign in my yard, but I may this year. I posted about my neighbor and then read this. I hadn't thought about those have served. Does using a US flag in distress as a political statement cut a little deeper? I'm sorry. We can’t let that Cheeto get re-elected. DH fought for the right of free speech. I wouldn’t say that the flag in distress is the issue, but the politics surrounding it right now. I do have a problem with an appointed judge, who is supposed to weigh the facts and uphold the law for all Americans/ political parties, flying the flag in distress. Don’t for one minute tell me that he didn’t know exactly what was going on. What a weak man to blame it on his wife (who is in no way blameless here.) |
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Post by epeanymous on Jun 18, 2024 21:30:52 GMT
I posted about my neighbor and then read this. I hadn't thought about those have served. Does using a US flag in distress as a political statement cut a little deeper? I'm sorry. We can’t let that Cheeto get re-elected. DH fought for the right of free speech. I wouldn’t say that the flag in distress is the issue, but the politics surrounding it right now. I do have a problem with an appointed judge, who is supposed to weigh the facts and uphold the law for all Americans/ political parties, flying the flag in distress. Don’t for one minute tell me that he didn’t know exactly what was going on. What a weak man to blame it on his wife (who is in no way blameless here.) The weirdest thing about the culture wars is that we on the left seem to have gotten Taylor Swift, football, and the regular American flag. |
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Post by gar on Jun 18, 2024 21:47:03 GMT
I have no idea about the legalities in the US but that property is ostensibly the renters home and I would be on the side of the renter in that situation.
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milocat
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Post by milocat on Jun 18, 2024 22:09:04 GMT
So the owner owns 3 (or whatever) other properties, yeah 3 more signs will tip the election.
I don't think they should be able to put signs up, even if you did agree with the candidate, without your permission.
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Post by Basket1lady on Jun 18, 2024 22:12:31 GMT
DH fought for the right of free speech. I wouldn’t say that the flag in distress is the issue, but the politics surrounding it right now. I do have a problem with an appointed judge, who is supposed to weigh the facts and uphold the law for all Americans/ political parties, flying the flag in distress. Don’t for one minute tell me that he didn’t know exactly what was going on. What a weak man to blame it on his wife (who is in no way blameless here.) The weirdest thing about the culture wars is that we on the left seem to have gotten Taylor Swift, football, and the regular American flag. Can you smell the irony?! |
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We are all well aware about who is who, and who we're voting for. 
Legally though I probably wouldn't have a leg to stand on if I lived there and tried to remove the signs. 
