Sneaky way to get vendor's number from Estate Agents?

silvercar

googler wrote: »

Leaving aside issues of fundamental dishonesty, how do you propose to get them to open, in front of you, within reading distance, the 'file' for a property that they no longer have for sale?

:huh:

They will still have the file, even if it is not currently open.

Asking the neighbours could work.

When I needed to contact my buyer's buyers, without going through the estate agent, I used b4usearch.com Don't think it is running at the moment.

You could try less direct methods like facebook, once you've found the name.

franklee

Just write them a letter. If there is no redirect the tenants will probably pass it on anyway. I put aside all letters for my LL and hand them in to the letting agent when I pass. Nothing to lose in trying.

2912pwil

Do you know owners name and roughly where they live now?? If so and the if the name ain't common try 192.com to see if they have registered on electoral roll or whatever..

Or, buy "Private Eye" (probably advertise in other publications) and in the classified people advertise to track people down for, i think, £99. I used one to find an absconding tenant who owed money. Alternatively knock on all the doors in the street - someone might know - or as suggested postie... local paper shop/corner shop. Did they have kids?? If so which school were they (?? are they still ?? ) at??

i.e. engage brain and try all the options you can think of.. Why no ask the AE ?? (He should still get his £££ if the sale goes through - you weren't thinking of trying to cut them out now were you...)

Cheers!

hamblettamaud

hire a private detective.

JayZed

Go back to the property, make sure the tenants aren't there, and go through their bins. With a bit of luck you'll find the tenants' names and details of who they bank with. Then hack into their bank account (sending a phishing e-mail might be a good option) and find out who they're paying rent to. If it's a letting agent, then you'll need to wait until a moonless night, then break into the letting agent's office. You should be able to find a file with the owners' contact details. If you can't find the file, wait until morning and hold a gun to the letting agent's head until s/he gives you the number. If you don't like the idea of violence, you could try an elaborate con instead - watch Hustle for some pointers.

Hope that's helpful.

[Edit] Alternatively, you could just send a letter to the property addressed to the landlord. My way would be more fun, though.