View Full Version : How can I get rid of an estate agent?
So, we're with an agent who claims to have us tied to a 16 week sole agency agreement.
I dont think they're doing all they can for us, to put it bluntly and want to sack them.
T&Cs were agreed but I wasn't sent a copy of them.
Now I've raised this concern it seems they're getting a little upset, saying that if we sell within the remaining x weeks, we'll pay them their fee as well as a new agents fee.
Any ideas how I can shake them off?
Dan - a bod from the local office of "you know who" is coming round tonight for the newest valuation, if you want to mention this in advance?
years ago when an estate agent tried this with my dad, he went in to the office asked to see the contract , they stupidly showed it to him so he tore it up in front of them and took it with him, as he was leaving asaid i dont think we have a contract now so go f*8k yourself. never herd from them again!!
I did, but I've not had sight nor sound of it since it was taken "back to the office". I was promised a copy but one never came.
We discussed the terms, and I adjusted the 3 weeks notice period to 1 week which we agreed, but now its being claimed that that notice period only applies after the initial 16 weeks.
I saw no reference to 16 weeks :(
Methinks screwed.
years ago when an estate agent tried this with my dad, he went in to the office asked to see the contract , they stupidly showed it to him so he tore it up in front of them and took it with him, as he was leaving asaid i dont think we have a contract now so go f*8k yourself. never herd from them again!!
Hmm, so thats the last resort sorted. Great!
What about the first?
Gazza77
06-08-08, 09:25 AM
I did, but I've not had sight nor sound of it since it was taken "back to the office". I was promised a copy but one never came.
We discussed the terms, and I adjusted the 3 weeks notice period to 1 week which we agreed, but now its being claimed that that notice period only applies after the initial 16 weeks.
I saw no reference to 16 weeks :(
Methinks screwed.
I wouldn't worry too much. In the current climate (and I speak from personal experience here), if you can sell within 16 weeks you will be lucky, so it doesn't really matter anyway!
I wouldn't worry too much. In the current climate (and I speak from personal experience here), if you can sell within 16 weeks you will be lucky, so it doesn't really matter anyway!
This means that I can't risk going multi-agency though, known my luck I'll get a buyer on the first day and shell out a small fortune to both agencies.. :(
The main reason for swapping is because of the "marketing" I don't think I'm getting.....
wyrdness
06-08-08, 09:43 AM
Rat poison :D
I got rid of two recently. The first for misconduct. They'd agreed to phone us first before bringing anybody round. Which they didn't do on two occasions. I complained the first time and they promised not to do it again. Then a couple of weeks later, they let themselves in without phoning first, when Mrs Wyrdness was at home on her own, pregnant and in the bath. They were in no position to argue about notice periods.
The second agent was better, but we took the flat off the market when Mrs W got too pregnant to move. I gave the agent a couple of weeks notice and they were very understanding about it.
I got rid of two recently. The first for misconduct. They'd agreed to phone us first before bringing anybody round. Which they didn't do on two occasions. I complained the first time and they promised not to do it again. Then a couple of weeks later, they let themselves in without phoning first, when Mrs Wyrdness was at home on her own, pregnant and in the bath. They were in no position to argue about notice periods.
One lot who were supposed to be selling our flat left the front door unlocked.
TBH do you think you will sell inside of this time period? If not let it roll then sell it online for 99 quid.
Or switch after the 16 weeks to mutli agents in your area.
They all want property to sell as they all have nice Porches to pay for dont they?
Gazza77
06-08-08, 09:57 AM
This means that I can't risk going multi-agency though, known my luck I'll get a buyer on the first day and shell out a small fortune to both agencies.. :(
The main reason for swapping is because of the "marketing" I don't think I'm getting.....
I meant give them notice, and sign up with a replacement immeadiately. If you sell within 16 weeks, you'll be doing well! Alternatively, go in and discuss the issue with them, telling them the reasons that the contract is invalid as they have broken it by not meeting their side of the agreement.
Surely you tell them that you are now no longer interested in selling your home......because 'the job offer you took' has fallen through so you have no reason to move.
Problem solved?
Then go elsewhere, how would they know?
I have only ever bought one house, and it was new from a developer and not through an estate agent so I may be being niave here lol
timwilky
06-08-08, 10:07 AM
Just shoot them all, you will get a medal
Warthog
06-08-08, 10:24 AM
Just shoot them all, you will get a medal
:lol: +1
Biker Biggles
06-08-08, 10:34 AM
I know several people who would do a hit on them for a very modest fee.Problem solved.
tigersaw
06-08-08, 10:43 AM
Agents these days just dump details on rightmove and phone a few leads, it generally looks like they are doing nothing at all, and when they do its arranging mortgages and taking a backhander.
Check thay have at least done that, else you'll get no-one interested.
jimmy__riddle
06-08-08, 10:45 AM
get a copy of the contract, im sure they are probably doing something wrong to give you grounds to rip it up.
Estate agents here are useless, i guess because 12 months ago you could put a number on a wheelie bin and sell it in 2 weeks. cos of this theres loads of stupid talentless estate agents (there are some good ones mind) who are used to houses selling themselves. now they actually need to do something and many of them can't.
TBH do you think you will sell inside of this time period? If not let it roll then sell it online for 99 quid.
Or switch after the 16 weeks to mutli agents in your area.
They all want property to sell as they all have nice Porches to pay for dont they?
Heh
Thats the thing, its actually being sold privately too, so fingers crossed the person who buys it can give reasonable proof that they saw our ads first.
BMWs are the fave round this way.
kwak zzr
06-08-08, 01:17 PM
tell him "fooook off"
Ah ha - hit him with a hammer, repeatedly, until he gets the message. ;)
Spiderman
06-08-08, 02:14 PM
I used to sell property for about 15yrs and no i was never an "estate agent" they are a breed to themselves and not the kind of people i liked to pend my time with but thats neither here or there.
Constructive steps are... offer them to go "joint sole" with another agent
or
tell them that unless they agree to go multi agency you will just deny all their viewing requests for the next 16 weeks until the agreed period ends, no good for them and no good for you in this tricky market so if they have nothing to fear from a little friendly local competiton then they have no reason not to go multi.
If all that fails send PM me a copy of the particulars they have put together for your property and i bet you i'll be able to find enough on their to claim "misdescription" and give you reason to end your contract wiht them ;)
The contract you signed - did you physically amend the wording, and initial your changes, along with the agent?
Did you even read the contract?
Why could they not provide you a copy of the contract when you signed there and then? That is the usual practise, and very poor if they couldn't keep to it. It could form part of a complaint.
It's unusual for a SOA (Sole Agency Agreement) to last as long as 16 weeks, 6 weeks is more likely for an initial marketing term, but 4 months?
You can rally the agent to do better if you feel they're dragging their feet. On a weekly basis, ask to see what new applicants they have that may be interested in your property, what feedback you've had, and ask to review with them the competing properties they have on their books.
At the end of the day - you signed a contract, you stick to it. You'd expect the same from them. If you think they're doing a poor job, then complain in writing - it will be escalated to the area manager or equivalent. I wouldn't recommend Neio's Dad's approach... that kind of behaviour doesn't usually end matters. Most agents are likely to keep scanned copies, which are just as relevant.
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