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Westminster council - for sale signs

Journalist: Frances Ivens, Telegraph

ended 06. January 2025

Westminster council wants to ban ‘For Sale’ signs across the borough.

The proposal argues ‘substantial harm to visual amenity and local character,’ abuse of deemed consent rules’ and meeting their ‘Fairer Westminster’ objectives as the main reasoning. It also argues the carbon impacts of producing signs – and the growth of online advertising as further grounds.

For estate agents and those in the property industry:

What are your thoughts on this? Have you seen it happen elsewhere? And will it harm business? 

6 responses from the Newspage community

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Stephen Perkins
Managing Director at Yellow Brick Mortgages
Online advertising only works with those in the market actively seeking to buy. The benefit of a For Sale board is that it draws in people that, before walking past it, may noit have been considering a move. They have been proven to benefit the marketing of a property attracting buyers that otherwise would never have come to market. Agents also benefit of course from the brand exposure. I imagine councils only worry when there is an enormous amount of for sale signs that may indicate an exodus or that the area isn’t desirable as they would like to claim.
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Kundan Bhaduri
Entrepreneur, Investor and Landlord at The Kushman Group
Westminster Council’s proposal to ban ‘For Sale’ signs sparks an interesting debate. While I appreciate their goal of preserving the borough’s character and reducing carbon impact, these signs remain an important, time-tested tool in the property market. They serve as a visual cue for prospective buyers, creating opportunities that might otherwise be missed in the crowded online space. The digital shift is undeniable, but not all buyers rely solely on online platforms. For many, seeing a sign outside a property feels more tangible and prompts spontaneous enquiries. Will it harm business? Potentially, especially for smaller agencies that rely on local visibility. A balanced approach might involve regulating the size or duration of signs, rather than banning them outright. It’s about modernizing without losing what makes the property market accessible to all.
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Ben Perks
Managing Director at Orchard Financial Advisers
Good to see Westminster Council have their priorities in order. This is ridiculous, are people really that bothered by For Sale signs?
They’re also handy. I brought my first house because I spotted the sign whilst on a jog.
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Katy Eatenton
Mortgage & Protection Specialist at Eatenton Finance
This is another example of councils focusing on entirely the wrong thing. How about channeling their energies into getting out of debt, providing value for council tax and dealing with more important issues like the cost of living crisis for struggling housholds in their areas?
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Samuel Gee
Director at Manning Gee Investments Limited
Westminster Council’s proposal to ban ‘For Sale’ signs reflects the shift towards digital property marketing, especially in affluent areas where buyers increasingly rely on online searches. While the council’s focus on preserving visual amenity and reducing carbon impact could be seen as commendable, boards still serve a purpose - they’re a simple, effective way to signal availability to local buyers and maintain a sense of community. A blanket ban risks favouring larger firms with strong online presences, leaving smaller businesses at a disadvantage. A more balanced approach, such as restricting sign size or duration, could address concerns without removing this valuable marketing tool entirely.
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Graham Cox
Director at Bridging Hub
For Sale signs are primarily there for the Estate Agent's benefit as free advertising. In the internet age, with everyone visiting sites like Rightmove and Zoopla, there's really no need for them unless the homeowner is selling without using an Estate Agent.