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posted ago by Plazma10 +185 / -1

We're renting a nice apartment from a Not For Profit in Pittsburgh. Two gay immigrants here but we support the President. We're traveling back to our home country for Christmas but have been asked by our building manager to take the flags out of our window.

There's nothing in our lease that specifically says we can't put things in our windows. And so far we haven't heard any formal reason aside from the fact that 'politics don't align with the values of the Not For Profit'.

We told them we would discuss when we're back from Christmas. Does anyone know if they are within their legal rights to come in the apartment when we are away and take them down?

We're renting a nice apartment from a Not For Profit in Pittsburgh. Two gay immigrants here but we support the President. We're traveling back to our home country for Christmas but have been asked by our building manager to take the flags out of our window. There's nothing in our lease that specifically says we can't put things in our windows. And so far we haven't heard any formal reason aside from the fact that 'politics don't align with the values of the Not For Profit'. We told them we would discuss when we're back from Christmas. Does anyone know if they are within their legal rights to come in the apartment when we are away and take them down?
Comments (63)
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47
Mad_Hattie 47 points ago +47 / -0

Ask them why they are so homophobic.

You can play games too.

30
Plazma10 [S] 30 points ago +30 / -0

We should have done Gays For Trump flags - damnit!

23
DCdeplorable 23 points ago +23 / -0

Switch them up and immediately contact local news telling them about the insidious homophobia you're experiencing from this not for profit

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deleted 4 points ago +4 / -0
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ladyliberty1776 6 points ago +6 / -0

Switch it out!

Look in your lease for sonething along the lines of you cant hang sheets, etc for window coverings.

That is commonly put into leases.

4
Mad_Hattie 4 points ago +4 / -0

I think you can still get the hats at least.

Hope you and your partner are having a fantastic weekend.

4
nachosamplerREBORN 4 points ago +4 / -0

It may be political or they may just be concerned about windows being broken.

25
Schroeder09 25 points ago +25 / -0

If it's not in lease they can screw off.

13
Sweden_wuz_Rite 13 points ago +13 / -0

This, also check to see if they have the "We may change these policies at any time policy."

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Plazma10 [S] 8 points ago +8 / -0

Thank you - going over the lease again to read it over and check for this one. We think the onus is on them to tell us where in the lease they are allowed to do this. We're going to wait a few hours before replying to them but i think from all the feedback here we are lawfully allowed to have them. If it's unlawful of course we'd comply - I've seen condos that don't like window fixings before - but I don't see this in our lease so far

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Sweden_wuz_Rite 4 points ago +4 / -0

We are rooting for yall!

4
Rs5150 4 points ago +4 / -0

Even if there is such a clause in the lease, they can’t restrict your free speech. I’d think it’s pretty clear you can display any legal signage in your windows you want.

16
Orangemaninyoazz 16 points ago +16 / -0

Fuck that. You have freedom of speech. You don't need any legal backing cause it's your constitutional right.

15
glade 15 points ago +15 / -0

tell them it's your religion

12
Memebomber 12 points ago +12 / -0

Tell your landlord to fuck off

11
Classicalliberal 11 points ago +11 / -0

Ask what provision of the lease blocks free speech

3
Plazma10 [S] 3 points ago +3 / -0

Thanks. I also want the building manager not to get screwed by the charity's founders

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Classicalliberal 2 points ago +2 / -0

Also, non profits are usually limited on taking political stances, though that is usually only applied 1 way.

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deleted 9 points ago +9 / -0
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bill_in_texas 7 points ago +7 / -0

Sadly, that's a very legitimate concern, and why I don't have a Trump flag flying, or a Trump bumper sticker on my vehicle, even though I have a Trump sticker to put on it.

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deleted 2 points ago +2 / -0
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deleted 9 points ago +9 / -0
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upvote 7 points ago +7 / -0 (edited)

It depends if other people are allowed to have window displays. If they have a policy to not display anything on the windows, then you are SOL.

2
Plazma10 [S] 2 points ago +2 / -0

So far we haven't seen that in our current lease. Although I'm sure they would add it if they could now.

5
KilroyJCNJ 5 points ago +5 / -0

Remind them that you were accepting of the values of the NotForProfit when you decided to hand them your hard-earned money, even though the NotForProfit values don't align with yours, and that "Balance is restored to the Universe".

5
Plazma10 [S] 5 points ago +5 / -0

The crazy part is that the not for profit has a mission to provide relief to the from other countries fleeing persecution for their views. We're now realising the irony here.

3
KilroyJCNJ 3 points ago +3 / -0

It would b cruel to point that out to them, no?

4
Billybobcuccio 4 points ago +4 / -0

Ignore him he can’t do anything. It’s your first amendment right. As long as your not painting it on the side of the building he can go pound sand

4
Logan051361 4 points ago +4 / -0

Nothing he can do if it's not in the lease. But on the other side, when your lease is up, he may not want you as tenants anymore.

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deleted 4 points ago +4 / -0
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GorillaChannel1 4 points ago +4 / -0 (edited)

Watch out for the old libshit trick "a pipe burst" for them to come into your apartment.

Nice to know we have based gay Pedes here in Pittsburgh. Half the time I feel like I'm behind enemy lines so am a silent deplorable.

3
badbeachboy 3 points ago +3 / -0

youve made no permanent attachment to the bldg, I dont think there is shit he can do. NOW keep in mind, he can not renew your lease so be prepared to move when it runs out. Also you can bet he will enter your apt while you are away, remind him that you must be notified 24 hours prior if he intends to enter unless there is an emergency such as a broken water pipe or alarm. If he kicks you out, do yourself a favor and flush 60 lbs of mortar mix down a toilet right before you leave for the last time.

3
Plazma10 [S] 3 points ago +3 / -0

Well we do have cameras in our apartment which would see them coming in

3
Trump_da_g0d 3 points ago +6 / -3

landlords entry rights should be explicitly spelled out in the lease

2
Cabinetmaker 2 points ago +2 / -0

Buy a crappy house. Interest rates are so low it’s nearly free money when you compare it to the inevitable inflation. I flip one to two houses a year along with some rentals and it’s provided me to be self employed for the last 7 years (I’m 31) and it was one of the best leaps I’ve taken. You don’t need to know much about working on houses as long as you have a strong work ethic and a strong internet service lol. Ps I don’t need to wear a mask at work and I can brink beers at lunch

2
Equityopinion 2 points ago +2 / -0

Put up rainbow stickers on the trump flags. Then it's a hate crime!

2
gimmeabreak 2 points ago +2 / -0

Take them down while you're away for Christmas, just to not draw attention to your apartment while you're gone for an extended period of time protect, given what the left likes to do to Trump supporters. And then put them back up when you return and tell your landlord to go shit in a hat unless it's in the lease that signs are not permitted.

1
Physics76 1 point ago +1 / -0

This is actually the best advice.

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deleted 2 points ago +2 / -0
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AnthraciteCracker 2 points ago +2 / -0

I can't help but ask our gay immigrant PA patriots... what do you think of Dr. Richard Levine, PA Secretary of Health?

1
Plazma10 [S] 1 point ago +1 / -0

I don't generally think secretaries of health are qualified experts in their fields. Generally, they are politicians too. Often only interested in playing in PR campaigns and pandering just as much as anyone else. So putting my thoughts aside on what I think is the transgender issue ( I have no problem with a consenting adult having plastic surgery, hormones or changing their body in whatever way they want ) I think that overall there is government overreach that is transgressing constitutional rights for much longer than any emergency should warrant.

2
AnthraciteCracker 2 points ago +2 / -0

I was hoping for this intelligent answer! Adults can befoul themselves all they want, I agree. I simply don't like that his complete failure (moving his mom, arbitrary nonsense, nursing home deaths, unconstitutional mandates, unelected pompous demagoguery) cannot be addressed because he has the transphobe shield.

1
Meganon17 1 point ago +1 / -0

Secure you’re stuff before you leave People gets spicy when told to wait

They need it down right MEOOW

1
Tx50bmg 1 point ago +1 / -0

IANAL but my understanding is that they needed to codify it in the lease, everything else comes down to litigation, which I doubt they'd want to pursue. If they come in and remove it they may be guilty of theft of personal property.

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Plazma10 [S] 1 point ago +1 / -0

What if they come in, take them down but leave them in the apartment? All without our permission?

1
Scroon 1 point ago +1 / -0

Check your lease, but typically landlords must give prior notice of entry for maintenance and can only enter unannounced for emergencies.

In CA, anything unrelated to maintenance or emergency is a big no-no, and they can't even enter for evictions unless a sheriff deputy is present.

1
Tx50bmg 1 point ago +1 / -0

Again, I'm not a lawyer but that may be unlawful entry. You'd have to review your lease agreement, as well as what laws may be applicable in PA.

1
Leave_The_Kids_Alone 1 point ago +1 / -0

I have a flag in my window to. They have something about window coverings like drapes.

If they told me to take the flag down, I would tell them to have a judge make me do it. You have property rights and 1st amendment rights, regardless of what a lease says.

1
Bramage 1 point ago +1 / -0

Tell the commie prick to get fucked.

1
clbrto 1 point ago +1 / -0

I don't know about your part of the country, but there is a TREMENDOUS housing shortage in southern Oregon

when my landlord says 'jump', I ask how high

luckily, he's a prince, and treats me like family, but I know he's the boss (pick your battles)

1
Dessert4TWO69 1 point ago +1 / -0

Buy a house. Interest is dirt cheap right now. Own your place. Not in an HOA.

1
20KAG20 1 point ago +1 / -0

Ahh yea, low interest rates on home prices that are at record highs. Good times

1
Gtrfan 1 point ago +1 / -0

Lets not forget Dude that keeping wildlife, um... an amphibious rodent, for... um, ya know domestic... within the city... that ain't legal either.

1
Rs5150 1 point ago +1 / -0

Occupants have a lot of rights. Probably more than they should. If you’re legally renting the apartment it’s basically yours and you can do what you wish for the most part. Do some research into your rights as a renter I’d bet there isn’t shit the landlord can do about it

1
CloakAndDagger 1 point ago +2 / -1

WE HAVE THE BEST GAY IMMIGRANTS, DON'T WE, FOLKS?

PS: your landlord is more like a landcuck

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deleted 1 point ago +1 / -0
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deleted 1 point ago +1 / -0
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TLDC 1 point ago +1 / -0

One thing to check is if there is any type of homeowner’s association that has rules around that you might be bound to by flow downs

1
Dingo 1 point ago +1 / -0

Probably just doesn’t want his apartment smashed up by Biden’s thugs.

1
ValkyrieHoneybadger 1 point ago +1 / -0

Ask them to point out in your rental contract where it says you cannot have signs or political signs in your window.

Also...do you see any others in the building with signs..political or not?

Tell them they are curtains.

No they cannot go in and take them down. The only time they can enter without your permission is in the case of life threatening situation or a water break.

1
Oldguard08 1 point ago +1 / -0

Legally speaking if they make you take anything political down they must make everyone take theirs down as well. PA might actually go further in protecting free speech for tenants but a quick browse didn't show me anything. Normally if they're operated under HUD they can be reported for such discriminatory practices.

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