Overview

This bill amends the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007 to restrict the display of external advertisements for property lettings. It gives local housing authorities greater control over such advertising and introduces penalties for non-compliance.

Description

The bill makes the following key changes:

• Amendment of Regulations: It removes the automatic permitted development rights for displaying advertisements relating to property lettings. Previously, letting advertisements were treated similarly to those for property sales.
• Local Authority Powers: Local housing authorities in England are given the power to create by-laws regulating external letting advertisements within their areas. Where no such by-law exists, displaying such advertisements becomes prohibited.
• Offences and Penalties: Displaying a prohibited external letting advertisement becomes a criminal offence. First offences result in a fine (level 4 on the standard scale), while subsequent offences carry a higher fine (level 5 on the standard scale).
• Extent and Commencement: The act applies only to England and comes into force two months after its passage.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to significantly impact government spending. Any costs associated with enforcement would likely be borne by local authorities from existing budgets.

Groups Affected

• Letting Agents: Will be directly affected by the need to comply with any new local by-laws regarding external advertisements.
• Landlords: Will need to be aware of and comply with local regulations regarding advertising their properties to let.
• Local Housing Authorities: Will be responsible for creating and enforcing local by-laws.
• Property Owners: May face penalties if they display unauthorized letting advertisements on their properties.

Powered by nyModel