A Simple Guide on the Use of ‘To Let’ and ‘For Sale’ Boards’ for Agents
After recent problems over the display of ‘To Let Boards’, we have decided to produce an article specifically on the display of ‘To Let’ and ‘For Sale’ boards. Back in April, Newcastle council were planning on banning the use of ‘To Let’ boards as it was having a negative impact on the visual amenity in the Newcastle neighbourhood. If this ban is agreed, the city will join Hastings, Leeds, Brighton & Hove, Loughborough, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, Nottingham and Preston councils who have all accepted Regulation 7 powers.
There is no doubt these problems are causing anxiety for agents all over the country. Therefore we have produced information on all councils within the UK and there restrictions on the use of ‘To Let’ and ‘For Sale’ boards. Some of these restrictions are outlined below for every property professional to utilise.
Leeds City Council
A new version of the ‘Letting Board Code’ has been drawn up since January 2013. This is a set of rules displaying exactly where letting boards can be displayed on residential properties.
The Letting Board Code
To summarise the ‘Letting Board Code’ within the Leeds City Council they state:
1. Only one ‘To Let’ board per building will be permitted.
2. Each board will conform to the following layout: 34cm x 48cm or 48cm x 34cm.
3. a) The board shall be mounted flush to the wall above/around the front door, or if that is not possible, it shall be mounted flush to the wall on the street frontage elevation. In either instance, no part of the board shall be higher than first-floor window sill level.
or,
b) Alternatively the board shall be displayed internally in a ground floor window facing the street frontage, but not in addition to a board displayed externally.
4. The board shall have a white background with black text. Up to 20% of the board may be occupied by a logo (which may be in colour).
5. One board shall be permitted per landlord/agent per street. However, if a landlord/agent specifies on the board, the number of bedrooms in the advertised property, one board shall be permitted per type of property, up to a maximum of three per street.
For properties on Headingley Lane, Cardigan Road, Kirkstall Lane, Burley Road, Kirkstall Road and Otley Road one board shall be permitted per landlord/agent, per property, per block, but with no more than 6 boards over the whole length of the road at any one time
6. There shall be no ‘Let By’ signs.
7. ‘To Let’ boards shall be removed no later than 14 days after the granting of a tenancy for the room, house or flat in question.
8. All ‘To Let’ boards shall be removed by 1st November each year with no new boards being erected until 1st December.
To read the full ‘Letting Board Code’ for Leeds City Council Please click below:
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/docs/1%20Letting%20Board%20Code%20JAN%202013.pdf
To view this information on the Leeds City Council official site please click here.
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/council/Pages/Letting-Boards.aspx
Nottingham City Council
Nine areas of Nottingham City Council are unable to display ‘To Let’ advertisement boards on residential properties without notifying the Council. This has been done through ‘Regulation 7 Direction’ which takes away certain rights without permission. This will remain until 16th October 2017.
To view detailed information on the nine areas this applies to please click below;
http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=43773&p=0
To view detailed guidance on this decision please click below:
http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=43774&p=0
To view this information on Nottingham City Councils website please click here.
http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/lettingboards
Brighton and Hove City Council
Under Regulation 7 Direction, the residential ‘For Sale’ and ‘To Let’ boards have been brought under planning control. This is based within most of the central conservation areas of Brighton and Hove, replacing previous controls which restricted a small number of the city’s historical squares.
These controls apply to all residential properties in the conservation areas listed below:
The Cliftonville Conservation Area, Denmark Villas Conservation Area, Willett Estate Conservation Area, The Drive Conservation Area, The Avenues Conservation Area, Brunswick Town Conservation Area, Montpelier and Clifton Hill Conservation Area, West Hill Conservation Area, North Laine Conservation Area, East Cliff Conservation Area, College Conservation Area and Kemp Town Conservation Area.
In the Regency Square Conservation Area, only Regency Square, Bedford Square and Norfolk Square are included, and in the Valley Gardens Conservation Area, the direction only applies to the area from St Peter’s Place northwards.
To see a map of the areas affected please see:
To see an A-Z of the full list of streets affected please click below:
To view this information of the official council website please click below:
If you’re unsure on the regulation in your area, we advise agents to follow the recommended advice, given by the Department for Communities and Local Government. This can be found at the link below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/11499/326679.pdf
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