Rogue estate agents face adverts ban

A ban on estate agents' advertising signs is being considered by councillors fed up with fly-boarding.

Every year thousands of people across the capital complain about companies plastering properties with boards.

Now Hackney council could take several estate agents to court under the Trade Descriptions Act for allegedly putting up for sale and to let boards when they have not been instructed on the property. Companies found guilty can be fined several thousand pounds.

The borough has seen fierce competition between big names such as Foxtons, Keatons and Currell as they try to capitalise on the Olympics property boom.

Councillor Alan Laing said: "Trading Standards are investigating a number of estate agents with a view to possible prosecutions."

The council has warned that if the threat of prosecution fails to stop fly-boarding, it will ban all estate agents' boards.

Foxtons said the company was not against a ban and Keatons and Currell said they had "fully co-operated" with the investigation.

In Newham, fly-boarders are being threatened with anti-social behaviour orders, while Hammersmith & Fulham council asks residents to report illegal boards by emailing boards@lbhf.gov.uk.