Letting Agent Boards in Durham!
Friday 03-02-2017 - 10:53
Letting boards are a common feature of house hunting season in Durham City and they enable Letting Agents to advertise to new students and make clear to students what houses are available. However, the use of Letting Boards can be problematic in terms of burglaries, spiralling rental prices, encouraging students to sign too early and the appearance of neighbourhoods.
Since 2009 Durham County Council has tried to regulate Lettings Board advertising with a Voluntary Code, which seeks to encourage landlords and agents to manage more considerately the use of Letting Boards. The Council has continued to receive a number of complaints each year and compliance with the Voluntary Code has been particularly poor in 2016-2017. Consequently the Council is considering asking the Government to apply restrictions or a ban on Letting Boards within the historic city.
Before the Council speaks to the Government, they are running a consultation on what course of action would be best for Durham City and local residents.
The options they are proposing are:
1. Continue with the Voluntary Code
2. Restrictions
3. Complete Ban
It is important that students contribute to this consultation as the outcome will have a major impact on how houses are advertised in Durham City. As student representatives we thought it would be good for you to be aware of this consultation and spread the word far and wide!!
Learn more and share your thoughts at: http://www.durham.gov.uk/article/11158/Lettings-Boards-in-Durham-City-consultation
