Landlords are being reminded to comply with an obligation to remove ‘to let’ signs in certain parts of Nottingham – or face prosecution.
Nottingham City Council introduced new rules in 2012 which ban the display of lettings boards from October 1 to December 31 in large parts of in Dunkirk, Lenton, Radford and the Arboretum, covering areas around the Lenton triangle, Triumph Road and Ilkeston Road, and Lenton and Castle Boulevard.
The aim is to reduce the impact of unsightly rows of rental signs that remain in place all year round in areas of the city where there are high concentrations of HMOs – often used by students who are away from the properties for a third of the year.
The legal move has been a big success, with most landlords complying with it and the absence of unauthorised letting boards greatly improving the look of the main student areas of the city, and for local people living there.
However, some are still contravening the rules and the council has written to landlords and lettings agents to warn them that repeat offenders – including offenders written to in previous years – will be prosecuted this year.
Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, Councillor Jane Urquhart said: “We’re pleased that landlords have overwhelmingly complied with our legal directive which has helped to make an enormous difference to the look and feel of many of our streets and neighbourhoods.
“However, a small number of boards have been displayed in contravention of the rules, and we have written to offenders and taken direct steps to remove boards. We feel that limited council resources shouldn’t be used to take action more than once against the same offenders and have notified landlords and lettings agents of our intention to prosecute in such cases.
“We hope this won’t be necessary, and that all landlords will comply with the rules for the good of the whole community.”
Full details of the Direction, Area map and Landlord Guidance Note are available on the City Council’s web site at www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/lettingboards