London council takes action on mushrooming estate agents' signs

However, Harrow Council is now taking action against unscrupulous estate agents who festoon walls and gardens with their signs - even they are not selling the property in question - by using the retail equivalent of an ASBO.

The power - called the Responsible Retailer Agreement - is a new initiative aimed at nuisances like shops which refuse to throw away rubbish properly or block pavements with signs or goods.

Introduced last year, it draws together existing powers which give councils the ability to fine traders and ensure they comply with normal trading standards and environmental regulations.

Harrow Council plans to use the new powers to stop the proliferation of estate agents' signs in the borough.

Property companies which have been the subject of complaints about gratuitous use of signs - will be asked to sign up to the Responsible Retailer scheme. Those who persist in the property world's equivalent to flyposting will face legal action if they are caught plastering public spaces with advertising.

In one recent case, a wall belonging to Daniel House, a block of flats in Rickmansworth Road, Pinner, was festooned with "For Sale" boards - even though no property in the development was actually on the market.

One resident of Daniel House said: "Most of the signs are advertising property that is already sold or let which effectively is in my view free billboard advertising.

"I am continually phoning the estate agents to remove there boards but they just fob me off and never come and remove their signage. In fact estate agents are using this entire junction including across the road as a mega bill boarding section."

In another case reported to Harrow Council officers, estate agents had actually attached three "for sale" boards to a street name sign.

Cllr Susan Hall, Harrow Council's portfolio holder for environment services, said: "With a depressed housing market, estate agents' signs are hanging around on street corners in greater numbers and for longer than ever.

"However, a slump in housing sales is not a licence for dodgy estate agents to take a hammer and nails to any piece of the street they like for free advertising. If they do not obey the law, they will find us, and not new buyers, moving in."