Forum Topic

Estate Agent Boards

Is there any legislation regarding the length of time estate agencies can keep their boards up after the property has been let or sold? Does the council deal with this and which department should I contact?On my street there are three sign boards which are still up even though the properties have been let - one having been there since last year.It seems to me that the agents just turn a blind eye to this as it is free advertising.Personally, I think it is an eyesore.

Marlene Plimley ● 5855d12 Comments

There has been a Barnard Marcus (Chiswick Office) board on the pavement of our road for over 5 weeks now. I have telephoned them over 3 weeks ago and even went into the office to tell them of this. It is still there lying on the pavement.Why is it that members of the public have to do this? Can't Estate Agents behave more responsibly and have them removed when a flat is let or sold? I am also curious to know why dustmen and street sweepers don't report boards on the pavement? These agents should be fined.

Marlene Plimley ● 5304d

Foxtons seem to be the worst at this sort of thing.

Ellen Kearney ● 5326d

I think there is a fairly systematic targetting of certain sites by some agents. They'll habitually put up boards at junctions and places where there is lots of passing traffic. The problem appears to be that they often pick places with lots of flats so it is difficult to prove they haven't got a property instruction in the area.

Ellen Kearney ● 5373d

Foxton's Let and Managed sale board has finally been removed after nearly 2 years(!!!) of it being outside a flat near me plus another lingering one from Bushells.Thank you to to Charles Lawrence and everyone else for their suggestions and especially to LBHF.Amen

Marlene Plimley ● 5394d

We got an agent to remove some boards near our home recently but when they did they left nails sticking out of the walls. It took a couple of calls to get them to sort it. The ironic thing is that with the property market in a slump and agents claiming there are not enough homes for sale there are more boards than ever.

Ellen Kearney ● 5771d

Try Caroline Goddard at LBHF planning on 0208 753 3361.She was helpful when I had the same problem in my street last year.

Charles Lawrence ● 5849d

They would, wouldn't they, if their sign was there illegally and they had been rumbled.Your approach is of course impeccably logical and the correct first stage.

Dan Filson ● 5849d

They would, wouldn't they, if their sign was there illegally and they had been rumbled.Your approach is of course impeccably logical and the correct first stage.

Dan Filson ● 5849d

We suffer a lot from this and I've found contacting the agent by e-mail normally get the board removed fairly promptly.

Karen Cooper ● 5849d

It is also a prosecutable offence to put up a board at a site on which there are not actually any instructions, a practice of which estate agents are often guilty. Same remedy as in Mr Jenning's post.

Dan Filson ● 5853d

Mr. Jennings, you are the most helpful gentleman. Many thanks!I tried phoning LBHF which is so painful and frustrating  these days on account of the automated call centre and the clueless operators but will try again and will also try the agents.Foxton's have one saying 'Let and Managed' which has been there for about 8 months now!

Marlene Plimley ● 5854d

As far I remember the allowed time to display a Let or Sold board is 2 weeks.  The enforcement team in the Planning Department are the people to contact at the council.  Or you could try phoning the agents; some are more co-operative than others.

Richard Jennings ● 5854d