City agencies agree to voluntary restrictions on To Let boards

Letting and estate agencies in Brighton and Hove have agreed to voluntary restrictions on the erection of To Let and For Sale boards in one area of the city.

From now until next June the local council is trialling a one year pilot scheme in the Coombe Road area of Brighton which features terraced streets of houses set close to the pavement. The council claims there has been a high proliferation of residential sales and letting boards in the area “creating an unsightly environment for residents.”

The council has consulted the Brighton & Hove Estate Agents Association and Southern Landlords Association in drawing up the scheme to promote alternative ways to advertise properties for sale or rent. 

Estate agent boards are already banned in certain conservation areas in the city.

“It’s really unattractive to see multiple boards outside properties and where one house is divided up, it is not unusual to see additional boards for each residential unit. Many local agents agree and would like to see this better managed” claims a council spokeswoman.  

“Estate agents these days have more options to display available properties online with less need for stand-alone boards, so by working together we can create a better environment for residents” she says.

Planning officers have drawn up guidance for agents to encourage a move towards the display of a single internal window sign or smaller wall-mounted sign attached flush to the front wall of the property. 

If successful, the trial may be extended to other affected areas of the city.