main content Estate agents fined in 'For Sale' sign prosecution

Three estate agents have been prosecuted and ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £2,500 by Bromley Magistrates Court, for illegally fixing 'For Sale' boards to street furniture. The local estate agents were found guilty of attaching their ‘For Sale’ boards to street name signs and roadside barriers in the borough. The prosecutions form part of the Council’s campaign to improve road safety and reduce ‘clutter’.

“This underhand form of street advertising causes confusion and is illegal. After all, our street signs are not for sale! But, the boards could cause road safety problems by distracting drivers and they also make streets look ‘cluttered’ as well as potentially damaging the paintwork of the street furniture. Estate agents advertising boards should only be displayed on the private property they relate to.” said Councillor George Taylor, Executive Councillor for the Environment.

At the Court hearing last week, Bairstow Eves Countrywide were ordered to pay £1,100 in fines and costs after admitting two offences committed in Bromley, during January and February this year. The Council’s Street Services Enforcement Team had found the estate agent’s 'For Sale' board secured to the Weston Road street name sign. A letter was sent to Bairstow Eves Countrywide, warning of the offence and requesting the sign to be removed immediately, or risk prosecution. Having inspected the location again a few weeks later and finding a 'Sold' board on display, legal action was taken.

Robinson, Griffiths and Jackson pleaded guilty to attaching two boards to street furniture in St Paul's Cray and received fines and costs totalling £900. After discovering the estate agent’s 'Sold' board attached to roadside railings in Leesons Hill, the estate agents were asked to take the board down. Prosecution followed after a further visit revealed another 'For Sale' board had been put up at the same location.

In a case against Andrew Reeves, the Court received written admission of guilt to securing two boards to street furniture in Orpington and imposed fines and costs of £500. The estate agent’s 'Sold' board had been displayed on the grass verge, tied to the Saltwood Close street name sign. Although Andrew Reeves were sent a letter requesting its removal, a subsequent visit revealed another 'Sold' board had been attached to roadside railings in nearby Court Road.

Illegal signs on the street can be reported to the Council’s Street Services Help Desk Team on 020 8313 4621.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor on 020 8461 7670 or Peter Turvey, Enforcement and Technical Support Manager on 020 8313 4901 or e-mail andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk.

Further information is available at www.bromley.gov.uk/neatstreet.