Enforcement
Whilst many estate agents comply with the regulations, there are some that do not. Common breaches of the regulations include multiple signs being displayed on a single property, and also, boards being left up long after the completion of a sale or the grant of a tenancy.
As with all illegal advertisements, anyone who displays an estate agent’s board, or knowingly permits someone else to do so, without the consent required for it, is acting illegally. It is then immediately open to us as the planning authority to bring a prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court.
Lambeth will usually aim to reach a solution with the advertiser rather than launch a prosecution in the first instance, as described in our enforcement process.
Lambeth's enforcement process (PDF, 339KB)
This may involve the swift removal of a board by the estate agent. The continued display of any advertisement after consent has been refused, and any appeal dismissed, may well result in prosecution.
The maximum fine on conviction of an offence is presently £2,500, with an additional daily fine of one-tenth of the maximum penalty on conviction of a continuing offence.
It is illegal to display any advertisement without first obtaining the permission of the owner of the site, or any other person who is entitled to grant permission.