This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
Agent Prosecuted Over Illegal Boards
A property agent in Hemel Hempstead has been fined £700 for putting up illegal advertising boards.
SureLet, based at 5 Marlowes in Hemel Hempstead, pleaded guilty to two offences of placing unlawful boards at Watford Magistrates’ Court on Friday 18th September.
The boards were erected at the entrance to Valley Green and on a grass verge on Redbourn Road, and were not displayed on land or property for sale, making it unclear which property the boards related to.
SureLet was ordered to pay a £700 fine and the council’s costs of £325.50, plus a victim surcharge of £40.
Earlier this year, Dacorum Borough Council warned the company about illegal boards, resulting in a formal caution for similar offences.
Councillor Graham Sutton, the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Regeneration, says: “Unlawfully sited estate agents’ boards are misleading, unsightly and can be visually distracting to motorists.
“As the local planning authority, we must ensure that the regulations in place to maintain our borough are followed.
“We will take appropriate action against illegal advertising, including prosecuting those who unlawfully site advertising boards and compromise the appearance of our borough.”1
1 http://www.tringtoday.co.uk/news/estate-agent-prosecuted-over-illegal-advertising-boards-1-6974537
