Contacting a vendor and doing without the EA

housesitter

I've made an offer on a house. The EA I feel is stalling the vendor and frankly is making the situation worse.
Whilst I am holding my ground and not being bullied into upping I do not believe that the vendor has all the details at hand.

Vendor is abroad. House had internal flood damage and needs quite a lot of work. The EA tells me the vendor "is aware of the situation" however nothing is being done to dry the place out. The heating is on but the windows closed.
I've told the EA that the place is getting worse and they say the client is aware of it.
They replastered a fallen ceiling before drying the property out and the coving being left mold suggests they thought about bodging it.


Now perhaps they are an utter moron (various other things suggest that they are ie: no building insurance, emigrated into redundancy, belief that the price shouldn't be affected by the damage) but I can't help but feel the EA isn't helping matters.

I'd like to communicate directly with the vendor but that's going to be hard since they no longer live there.
Mail might be being forwarded but I have a feeling that the EA is dealing with it in so far as bills and corespondence is being chucked. Just get that impression.

I believe you used to be able to pay a fee for info on the land registry but that that service is closed now?
Any other suggestions?
Neighbours say they have no details for them and I believe them.

Whilst I've not asked the EA, I highly doubt they would tell me or even pass on my email address.
Basically, I have pictures I'd like to show him and ask if he thinks it's that bad or better? I don't think the EA has told him due to their contempt and denial towards my suggestions of the severity of the damage. Or perhaps that's just the way they play the game.

Also, the property is still being advertised on rightmove in it's previous undamaged state with pictures suggesting it's fine. No description change either.
Is that even legal? Utter misrepresentation?

I'll save the rant about slimey EA middlemen.

poppysarah

Is there a HIP? It should have the address of the owner is it's not at that property...

If it is they might have a redirect in operation.

Sometimes EA do the strangest things...

terryw

Worth getting a copy of the Land Registry Certificate from the LR on the off-chance that there is another address of the owner for notices.

terryw

princessamy86

Yes the pictures and description should definitely have been changed! It's in the Property Misdescriptions Act which all agents are bound to comply with by law http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1991/ukpga_19910029_en_1#l1g1 lengthy read but it clearly states that a misleading statement may be made by a picture and that the agent is the one who is liable. Might be worth mentioning this to them, although it could have the unwanted effect of making them even less helpful towards you.

Poppysarah is right about the HIP, it will have owner name and address on it so might be worth a try. You can ask the EA to pass your details on and ask for proof that they have- eg recorded postage, copying you in on an email. Unfortunately it does sound like the vendor isn't massively bothered. The EA has no reason why they are obliged to deal with correspondence, it's just good customer service which it sounds like they aren't great at!

At the end of the day EA is working for the vendors, if they think your offer/interest in the property isn't going to achieve the price the vendor wants then they won't take much interest, again this is rubbish customer service and business practice but there's no telling some people!

Try asking them about passing your details on, just be calm and keep repeating that you are interested in the property but need to sort some issues out first, hopefully this will sink in after a while and they will help you. If you want to report the misdescription I think you go to Trading Standards.

Keep us updated! Good luck x

housesitter

Does the EA have legal obligation to pass on my details to the vendor?

Certainly the vendor can "instruct the EA" but I guess I can't force them to pass on my details to the vendor asking them to contact me?


The HIP showes the vendor's address as the house which they have vacated for foreign lands.
It's not out of date till May, so technically wrong, depending on if they have officially left the country or are still classed as resident.
I will be sending them a letter addresses to their house marked private and confidential, all typed up and franked.


Thanks for the link re the description, I'll make a note of that one for later on when I have to talk the smarmy bas&%£$ the next time round.

princessamy86

No sorry, no legal obligation but then again no reason why they wouldn't pass your details on-it's in their interests to get the sale tied up. With any luck they'll have a redirect in action on their old address or a relative picking up mail, it just might take some time.