Bogus For Sale Sign!!! Please Help!

olly300

MikeLondon wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies. I'll get onto Trading Standards. I just literally can't believe they've done it.

Do you think I can www.moneyclaim.gov.uk them for the fence?

To issue proceedings you need to do it properly otherwise you are wasting your money. This means that you have to act "reasonably".

I was told by Consumer Direct when I had a problem that you should issue 3 letters with the final letter being the "Letter Before Action". The letters should have a timescale of 21 days decreasing to 7.

You need to ensure the recipient receives the letters so using two methods of getting the letter to them is normally the best. Some people/companies have a habit off returning recorded delivery letters, stating they have not received faxes or emails. However no reasonable person will believe a company will not receive 6 letters sent by a variety of methods. (I generally send 2 letters by different methods.)

And you should suggest remedies before taking court action. One of the remedies could be asking them to fix your fence for you - EA often do rentals and property management. You should also get a number of quotes and include photocopies of those quotes in at least 2 of your letters.

Plus you have the issue that if the EA is a limited company which is likely they will not care if you take them to court.

The company counts a separate legal entity so even if you win they can find lots of ways of legal ways of wiggling out of paying. For example if the company is small they can get the company struck off, and reopening under a slightly different name with the same stationary etc.

If the company is a large chain they will have solicitors who will come up with a reasonable legal excuse to fight your claim. They will first try and get your claim thrown out particularly if you issue proceedings without warning them first.

Personally publicly shaming the company and any directors particularly in this harsh economic climate would be more damaging to them and cheaper for you. If you can get other posters to do a complain to both Trading Standards and the media. If the board is still up if you can tomorrow take a picc with either you or your OH standing next to it.

Madmel

Apart from the advice above, I think you have 2 choices, or could combine them...

Firstly add something as described above " XX EA are useless" or words to that effect.

Then, as Bonfire Night is approaching, add it to your private bonfire as those signs burn like [EMAIL="b@ggery"]b*ggery[/EMAIL].

Something similar happened to me when I came home following a few days away to find a To Let sign outside my house. Contracts had been exchanged but completion was some days away. To rub it in, the purchaser told me the sob story about being FTBs and could I throw in the kitchen appliances etc as they were strapped for cash.

I rang the number on the sign (mobile & very dodgy sounding individual) to find out the amount they wanted in rent then said who I was & gave them a deadline to remove the sign which they ignored. So once I had moved to the other end of the country I rang the Inland Revenue "shop a tax dodger" line and gave them all the info I had. Oh yes, I took out my nice white goods and got some cr&ppy ones from the tip and put them in their place. One good turn deserves another....;)

I am normally quite moderate but hate this sort of thing. Enjoy exacting some revenge

Ian_Griffiths_Halifax

You could always use it to your advantage and if anybody makes an offer, accept it! Not many people are in the luxury position of having a buyer. Just don't pay the gimps at the Estate Agents!

Running_Horse

brit1234 wrote: »

I agree, add somthing like "Failing Agency" or "Bankrupt Agent"

I was thinking more along the line of XXXX EAs "Are Lying Thieves".

mizzbiz

tr3mor wrote: »

Go stick a sign on the EA's office saying "C0CK".

Better still, post a banner over their window saying 'Closing Down Sale'.

Then apologise profusely, it was all to do with the fact that they valued your house last September (if they track you down, that is:p)

BTW I can't understand why they would do this. Surely it's just extra overheads to pay someone the time to contrive and then carry this out, and the obviously pay the same to get it removed? It's a really stupid marketing idea, more people read the local paper surely than drive down your street!

Imp

You could try your planning enforcement officer as this used to be contrary to the old Town and Country Planning Act, but I can't find it in the current Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

GDB2222

As Mizzbiz says, those signs are surprisingly expensive and it would be crazy to do this for a couple of days free advertising. I expect a c0ck-up, rather than anything deliberate.

fad1211

are u willing to tell us what estate agents it was?

Cat695

And EA's wonder why people hate them......and for my next piece of evidence M'lord

vikingaero

Madmel wrote: »

Apart from the advice above, I think you have 2 choices, or could combine them...

Firstly add something as described above " XX EA are useless" or words to that effect.

Then, as Bonfire Night is approaching, add it to your private bonfire as those signs burn like b*ggery.

Something similar happened to me when I came home following a few days away to find a To Let sign outside my house. Contracts had been exchanged but completion was some days away. To rub it in, the purchaser told me the sob story about being FTBs and could I throw in the kitchen appliances etc as they were strapped for cash.

I rang the number on the sign (mobile & very dodgy sounding individual) to find out the amount they wanted in rent then said who I was & gave them a deadline to remove the sign which they ignored. So once I had moved to the other end of the country I rang the Inland Revenue "shop a tax dodger" line and gave them all the info I had. Oh yes, I took out my nice white goods and got some cr&ppy ones from the tip and put them in their place. One good turn deserves another....;)

I am normally quite moderate but hate this sort of thing. Enjoy exacting some revenge

I'm thinking along the lines of 6 inch nails and the sign across the EA's front door.:D