Tenant fights to display flag

A small U.S. flag hanging in the window of an Army veteran has created quite a flap.

Carl Vereen, who resides in the Manatee Bay Apartments, was given a notice that he must remove the flag or the apartment manager management would come in a remove it for him.

Is the flag staying or going?

If it was only that easy.

Vereen left for a weekend visit to Georgia Friday morning, but the complex's manager has an offer to try and smooth things over.

It is a complicated issue of tenant rights versus apartment rules and regulations.

Who knew such a small flag could bring such big problems.

Vereen, a Vietnam War veteran, said the flag taped to the window of his apartment for nearly two years.

Managers said they sent him a letter informing him they would enter his apartment to remove the flag. They said it's a generic violation letter -- one they are now re-tooling to make it incident-specific.

The managers of the complex would not go on camera, but off camera said they don't have an issue with the flag, but in the way it's displayed.

The rules and regulations that Vereen received as a lease addendum said, "the tenant shall not place signs anywhere in the windows or on the front doors."

Managers said it's about continuity within the complex. They want a clean, uniform look among the buildings.

But Vereen may have a state law on his side.

It's Florida Statute 83, Section 67 which deals with tenant rights.

A landlord shall not prohibit a tenant from displaying one portable, removable, cloth or plastic United States flag, not larger than 4 and 1/2  feet by 6 feet, in a respectful manner in or on the dwelling unit regardless of any provision in the rental agreement dealing with flags or decorations. The United States flag shall be displayed in accordance with s. 83.52(6). The landlord is not liable for damages caused by a United States flag displayed by a tenant. Any United States flag may not infringe upon the space rented by any other tenant.

The devil is in the details and the debate may just surround the "respectful manner" in which the flag is simply taped to a window.

Apartment officials bought a 4-by-6 American flag and intend to give it to Vereen so that he can display it properly outside his apartment.

On Friday afternoon, Vereen said he already has a large flag, which hangs in his apartment and has no intention of taking his small one down.

So the flag still hangs, or flies, with no indication either side will waive a white truce flag any time soon.