Letting agents in two university cities are being asked to agree a voluntary ban on boards – which they themselves would help police.
Letting agents in Reading have been asked to agree to a complete voluntary ban on boards in areas around the university – while in Oxford, the local council is in talks with agents about a voluntary ban on To Let boards outside occupied properties.
Reading Borough Council wants all To Let and Let By boards to disappear from streets in the east of the town.
The authority says that in cases, some boards are left on display all year round.
The council called letting agents to a meeting earlier this year, and a number agreed to stop using boards.
The council has now written to agents inviting them to take part in the voluntary ban, which will run from the beginning of October to the end of March next year.
Cllr Tony Page, lead member for strategic environment, planning and transport, said: “Whilst it is encouraging to hear anecdotally that the number of boards have dropped over recent weeks, the council has nevertheless written to letting agents inviting them to take part in this trial voluntary ban.
“At a time when most student lettings are carried out online, there is absolutely no need for agents to have their boards on display – sometimes for months on end – other than to advertise their company.
“This is an issue the council is regularly lobbied on by local residents.”
There is currently no call for a ban on For Sale and Sold boards. However, if the voluntary ban is unsuccessful, the council may apply to the Secretary of State for a Regulation 7 Direction which would mean planning consent would have to be sought for all boards.
In Oxford, the local council is attempting to ban To Let boards outside occupied properties.
It has asked its officials to submit a report by the end of this year and discussions are already under way with Oxford agents, who would be asked to police any ban.
Council leader Bob Price said: “We have a large renting sector in Oxford and when some signs are left up for long periods of time, it becomes unsightly.”
With boards breeding boards this could have an even more dramatic effect on the online model …. discuss
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