From 1 February 2010, a new protocol controlling the use of letting boards will be operational in the Headingley, Hyde Park and Woodhouse wards. This protocol will apply for the next five years.
Advertisement consent is not usually needed to put up a to let board. However the Secretary of State has decided that letting boards in some parts of the city will need permission. This is because of the large number of privately let houses in the Headingley and Hyde Park wards which may need letting boards. These would harm the character and appearance of the area. Whilst applications can be still be made for advertisement consent for a letting board, Planning Services intend to refuse all such applications.
As landlords and agents still need to advertise their properties a code of practice, which is detailed in landlords guidance note, has been produced. This describes what type of to let sign is acceptable without needing consent. No enforcement action will be taken if the letting board complies with the Code within the area of control. In addition to this, the code will also apply to the surrounding area of housing mix (AoHM) but on a voluntary basis.
A copy of the guidance note for landlords and the associated map book can be found on the right of the page in the downloads section together with a map of the direction area, the wider AoHM and background information.