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Brighton estate agents claim they're "victimised" by council

12:00pm Wednesday 13th January 2010


Estate agents claim they are being “victimised” by a city centre ban on “for sale” signs.

Brighton and Hove City Council scrapped the trademark boards in designated conservation areas in September 2008.

But Phil Graves president of Brighton and Hove Estate Agenct Association (BHEAA) said the ban threatened the existence of a number of agents.

A final decision on plans to remove “to let” and “for sale” signs from areas stretching from Hove Street and Sackville Road to Kemp Town will now be made by a Government official after a BHEAA appeal.

Mr Graves said, who said estate agents wanted the controlled area to be more tightly drawn, added: “We’re being victimised. The boards form a major part of our marketing and as long as they laws are followed it should continue.

“We’re going through an extremely difficult time at the moment and if passed it could be the end of a number of our agents.”

Geoffrey Theobald, the council’s cabinet member for environment, said the council had the backing of city residents.

The hearing on the ban will take place in Hove Town Hall on March 9. Written representations must be made before February 8.


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Your Say YourArgus

Stu, Hove says...
12:04pm Wed 13 Jan 10

Estate agents must know they are onto a loser here trying to get sympathy from the public. They charge extortionate fees and do as little as possible in my experience. I've sold 5 properties over the years, and never once had a for sale board. Never had any problem selling my properties. Everybody looks online nowadays anyway. For Sale boards are unsightly and unnecessary in this day and age.

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Sweepster, Brighton says...
12:09pm Wed 13 Jan 10

In the past 6 years I have moved 4 times. I have used the internet to research properties, not like the old days driving around to see which houses where for sale. Surely everyone uses the web these days.

When my place was up for sale the estate agent didnt even ask if I would object to a for sale sign outside. I got up one morning to find one outside! Then, once I'd moved to the house I bought the sold sign stayed there until I physically dragged it to the estate agent office.

Estate agent = dodgy. My estate agent knocked off the VAT of £3k if I paid his fee in cash!

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TheInsider, Brighton says...
12:17pm Wed 13 Jan 10

They are outdated. No signs should be anywhere. People use magazines and the net they do not drive around looking at signs.
In addition to this, they highlight empty properties, particulalry the student let ones which let any squatter and thief know that a property is empty for six months.
We have had nothing but trouble with these boards in our street.
If you see them remove them and lay them down in the garden of the property. Don't damage and steal them, just pop them out of sight.

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Jay-kay, brighton says...
12:20pm Wed 13 Jan 10

I think that in roads that there are alot of flats etc it isnt nice to have boards up. the agents should have a list of applicants whom they contact about new properties on the market and people buying generally use rightmove etc, also if people see lots of boards up in an area they will think hang on why people moving..

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kkj, Brighton says...
12:39pm Wed 13 Jan 10

Seems a totlally illogical and spurious argument to me. At one time, all estate agents were allowed signs, now none are. Its still a level playing field, so no more estate agents should go out of business now than previously.

Can anyone (estate agent or otherwise) relate any instances of someone being persuaded/inspired to buy a property on the strength of a 'For Sale' sign?

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Georgy Edgson, says...
12:45pm Wed 13 Jan 10

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

Poor babies...

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rayellerton, portslade says...
12:58pm Wed 13 Jan 10

one word.....parasites

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Rocker, says...
1:43pm Wed 13 Jan 10

Adapt and survive.....wouldn't be a bad thing if more of the leeches went out of business.In my humble opinion,estate agents are the lowest of the low...hope a few more of the species bite the dust.

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Granny, Brighton says...
1:55pm Wed 13 Jan 10

My heart bleeds for the estate agents. If, like the showman who proposed in a suit of armour earlier this month, they can afford to waste money like this, then they are getting enough of our money anyway.

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ICantThinkOfAName, LANCING says...
1:57pm Wed 13 Jan 10

Estate agents are their own worst enemies in this respect.

A flat close to where I live was sold three months ago and the For Sale sign was changed to a Sold sign. During the recent high winds, the sign fell down. Instead of it being removed, the sign has been fixed again in position.

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East Brunswick, Brunswick Town says...
2:10pm Wed 13 Jan 10

In the areas already subject to a ban (Brunswick Sq/Terrace Adelaide/Palmeria and Sussex Sq) sales/lettings have continued - there has been no decline in sales/lettings.
In addition the areas mentioned look so much better without the clutter of Estate Agents Boards.
Agents 'grow up' and cope.

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She-Ra, Princess Of Power, Brighton says...
2:26pm Wed 13 Jan 10

Oh for goodness' sake. I'm sure people look online these days or just call the agents!

I personally don't see the need for them, they just create more rubbish anyway!

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Bennn, Kemptown, Brighton says...
3:23pm Wed 13 Jan 10

Get rid of those ugly signs!

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bug eye, hove says...
4:05pm Wed 13 Jan 10

for sale signs are definitely the best way to find a house, especially if you live near the area and are looking at particular streets or even a particular house. I agree that once a sale has been secured then the board should come down and that should be the law change, and then maybe the signs should be made smaller and only one per property allowed. an all out ban is just ridiculous and typical of this banning government who want to nanny and control every aspect of our lives, wake up, it will be you next. I am not an estate agent.

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Forbes Coleman, says...
9:23pm Wed 13 Jan 10

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
hahahhahahhahaaahaha
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aahaaahahahhhhhahaha
haaahahahahahhhahaha
hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaahhhhhahahaha
hahaaaaahahah!!!

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davyboy, abingdon, oxon says...
10:39pm Wed 13 Jan 10

boards are not needed to advertise properties for sale any more. i agree with most others here, that many use the internet to check agents sites now. someone said, 'adapt and survive'. how true!

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jim.livesey, Brighton says...
8:37am Thu 14 Jan 10

Only Estate Agents are allowed to litter the streets with ugly signs, a privilege given them long ago when things were very different. Most properties are now sold or let through the Internet. It is just cheap advertising at the expense of disfigurement of this fine city, and it has to go!

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