Boring MP says To Let signs are ‘ruining’ Selly Oak

Selly Oak’s MP is bombarded with complaints from local residents, moaning there are too many letting boards left on properties throughout the year.

Steve McCabe says the To Let and For Sale signs should be taken down within two weeks of the property being taken off the market, because they “ruin the appearance” of Selly Oak.

According to Steve, the Guild have also raised concerns about the number of signs.

He told the Birmingham Mail: “It’s clear that in my constituency the letting agent board regulations aren’t being adhered to and the landlords that own student properties appear to be keeping these boards up for the purposes of unlimited free advertising.

“Not only does this ruin the appearance of many streets in Selly Oak, the practice is not being effectively regulated which means that the landlords in question just get away with it scot-free and I think more needs to be done by the council to help clean up the streets of Selly Oak.”

The signs are left up throughout the year

Are they really that bad?

Aggy Steve now plans to launch a bill in parliament in a bid to give councils more powers to take action against landlords and homeowners.

The Department for Communities and Local Government says planning authority should enforce the 14 day rule, as well as the rule there should be no more than one board per property.

Guy, a third year Chemical Engineering student, disagrees the signs ruin the appearance of Selly Oak. He said: “”It doesn’t bother me. I like the colour they add to the place.”