Birmingham City Council will begin enforcement action to remove letting boards from streets, particularly around student housing in Selly Oak and Bournbrook. This follows a court decision that supported the council's crackdown on signs that officials said had effectively become permanent fixtures, often advertising agents rather than properties.
Residents had raised concerns about visual blight, the over-commercialisation of the area, and the impact on community cohesion. Students also reportedly expressed worries that boards outside their homes could identify properties as potential targets for criminals.
The council had issued community protection warnings to letting agents responsible for a large number of boards. While thirteen agents complied, four did not, leading to formal action and a subsequent appeal to court, which the council successfully defended last week.
The council stated that this action would help create safer streets and address the visual impact on residential neighbourhoods, contributing to improving the environment in affected areas.