The preponderance of “For Sale” and “To Let” boards in residential areas can be a source of considerable irritation to long-term residents and owner-occupiers. 

Aside from quite justified security concerns by the boards highlighting the apparent vacancy of a property, it is indisputable that a multitude of boards in a confined area is an eye sore, and constitutes potential detriment to the value of properties in a specific area.

Given the very wide spread use nowadays of social media there is an argument to suggest that the unrestricted use of boards has become obsolete, especially when one considers easily accessible use of free online portals such as “RightMove”, “Zoopla” and “On the Market”. One might be forgiven for questioning whether or not the lettings and sale boards simply serve as a form of cheap advertising for the selling agents involved (as oppose to the Landlords trying to offload their property).

What Can Be Done If The Number Of Boards Is Excessive? 

Recently, a number of councils have disclosed plans to take action on boards.  This month (November 2019), Camden Council has announced plans to ban all “To Let” signs in the borough, following a borough-wide consultation of which some 89% of respondents favoured an outright ban.  According to the Camden Council, over one thousand complaints have been received in the past five years in relation to boards.

Camden Council is not alone; closer to home, Newcastle City Council is taking similar action and the placing of “To Let” boards have been restricted in parts of Heaton, Jesmond, Sandyford, Shieldfield and South Gosforth.

The legislative background to enabling the control of boards falls within Regulation 7 of The Town & Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007.