'Sullying' window flags face ban
Flags and banners in council tenants' windows could be banned because they "sully" the area, a Hertfordshire housing group says. Welwyn and Hatfield Community Housing Trust said its new tenancy agreements may include the policy as flags could be "intimidating". It said permission could be given when there were national celebrations or a sporting occasions.
Trust spokeswoman Simone Russell said: "There are properties that have big flags hanging outside and while we encourage it during events such as the Jubilee; at other times it sullies the look of the area," she said. "Flags can be intimidating and can create a negative feeling." She revealed the policy would say "tenants must not hang or fix signs, banners or flags on the outside of the property, outside windows or on balconies, without our permission". It means residents can ask to hang a flag up for special occasions.
Welwyn Hatfield Council said the trust would adopt a "common-sense approach" and not enforce the rule on temporary items. A statement said the clause could be used if flags and other items had been put up on a long term basis or were causing a nuisance to others. "The trust will be able to refer to this tenancy condition in any action being taken to ensure the items are removed," it said. A preliminary notice of the proposal was sent to tenants in June and a consultation period closes on 12 July.
One local mother has already vowed to defy the new rule. Rachael Blythe, of Nursery Hill, Welwyn Garden City, was incensed by the new draft diktat. Ms Blythe, 29, said she would fly her Union Flag as long as the Queen flew hers. She stormed: “I will not let my landlord strip my child and myself of our rights and personal choices. I will fight this to the bitter end. This is a disgrace. Flying my country’s flag is my human right and I will continue to fly it for the foreseeable future. When the Queen takes her Union Jack down I will take mine down.”
Trust spokeswoman Simone Russell said: "There are properties that have big flags hanging outside and while we encourage it during events such as the Jubilee; at other times it sullies the look of the area," she said. "Flags can be intimidating and can create a negative feeling." She revealed the policy would say "tenants must not hang or fix signs, banners or flags on the outside of the property, outside windows or on balconies, without our permission". It means residents can ask to hang a flag up for special occasions.
Welwyn Hatfield Council said the trust would adopt a "common-sense approach" and not enforce the rule on temporary items. A statement said the clause could be used if flags and other items had been put up on a long term basis or were causing a nuisance to others. "The trust will be able to refer to this tenancy condition in any action being taken to ensure the items are removed," it said. A preliminary notice of the proposal was sent to tenants in June and a consultation period closes on 12 July.
One local mother has already vowed to defy the new rule. Rachael Blythe, of Nursery Hill, Welwyn Garden City, was incensed by the new draft diktat. Ms Blythe, 29, said she would fly her Union Flag as long as the Queen flew hers. She stormed: “I will not let my landlord strip my child and myself of our rights and personal choices. I will fight this to the bitter end. This is a disgrace. Flying my country’s flag is my human right and I will continue to fly it for the foreseeable future. When the Queen takes her Union Jack down I will take mine down.”
