A CONSULTATION exercise on stronger powers to crack down on the number of “To Let” boards on residential streets is to get underway today.

It follows a number of complaints from residents that streets in Durham city centre were being blighted by the number of advertising boards going up outside rented properties, many of them aimed at the student market.

In 2009, landlords in Durham agreed to sign up to a voluntary code to restrict the excessive number of boards put up outside rented properties.

The agreement with Durham County Council restricted each landlord to one board per street.

But, after what the authority says are “recent increases in breaches of the code”, the council is now considering tighter regulations.

The public are being consulted on a possible application to the Government for a Regulation Seven order, which would remove the current rights that agents and landlords have to display lettings boards without the need for council consent.

Residents will be asked whether they want to retain the voluntary code or whether the council should have the power to decide whether boards be allowed, either by limiting the number of boards and the length of time they can be displayed or by completely banning boards from being used in the city without express consent.

Cllr Neil Foster from Durham County Council said: “While we understand and appreciate the need for landlords to market their properties, this has to be balanced against the impact that letting boards can have on our beautiful and historic city.

“We also believe that to let boards are a minor part of the modern marketing strategy and that most students will locate property via the internet”.

He added: “The voluntary code we introduced initially proved to be successful however, more recently, we are aware that some agents are breaching the rules and residents have asked for us to look at ways to give the council power to act in these situations.

“As well as the evidence compiled as part of the voluntary code, any application to Government would have to be supported by local people and have the views of landlords and agents so it’s essential that everyone gets involved and has their say”.

A drop-in event will be held at Durham Town Hall on Monday, January 16 from 3.30pm to 7.30pm. People can also make their views known via durham.gov.uk ahead of the February 17 deadline.