Two estate agents are the first to be prosecuted in Brighton and Hove for putting up “for sale” and “to let” boards in conservation areas.
Priors and Mishon Welton estate agents were each fined £1,000 for the offences at Brighton Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday 24 March).
The court ordered Mishon Welton to pay £1,200 towards the council’s costs and Priors £480.
The prosecutions follow a survey carried out by residents in the Montpelier and Clifton Hill Conservation Area.
The survey found that the number of “for sale” and “to let” boards had fallen by more than half since last September.
This was when Brighton and Hove City Council extended the area covered by the ban on the boards.
The council said that this showed that the restrictions are largely working.
The ban covers much of the area between Seafield Road in Hove and Sussex Square in Kemp Town.
Boards put up before Monday 20 September – when the ban came in – can stay until the property is sold or let.
The council said that Mishon Welton and Priors had both been reminded of the restriction and were sent letters giving ample opportunity to comply.
