Lettings agents could be asked to reduce the size of their To Let signs and mount them on walls as part of an agreement to smarten up a student neighbourhood.
Brighton and Hove City Council has already banned the use of estate agents’ signs within the city centre’s conservation areas, but a bid to extend this to other areas of the city was turned down by the government.
Now, the council’s environment and sustainability committee is to consider implementing a voluntary agreement with estate agents to reduce the impact of a plethora of signs in the Lewes Road area.
A report to councillors says: “The Brighton & Hove Estate Agents Association have met with council officers and are supportive of better management of residential lettings boards and will continue to work with officers to this end.
“It is recommended that committee agrees to a pilot of a voluntary management scheme of residential letting boards for a one year period in a selected area of the Lewes Road corridor which would link into ongoing work around the private rented sector and would include a collaborative approach between community groups, residents, Partnerships, letting agents and other relevant organisations.
“This is considered to be a suitable location due to the proliferation of stand-alone boards relating to high levels of HMOs.
“After a year of operation the outcome of this pilot scheme would be brought back to this committee to review further options and ways forward.”
An example of guidelines drawn up by a similar scheme in Nottingham are included, which show smaller signs mounted to the front of houses rather than large signs on poles.
