EA Messing us about

Bibliophile_2

We made an offer on a house we liked last Friday. The EA told us they would not consider the offer until me and my husband had called into their office to see their Financial Advisor with 3 months bank statements, wage slips and proof of identity. I told them we didn't need financial advice as we already have a mortgage, which we will be porting.

Their FA was really busy so we weren't able to make an appointment until this Thursday. We have arranged to take time off work to see them as quickly as possible.

I phoned the EA today to see if we could avoid all the paperwork when they told me that our offer had been rejected.

It doesn't seem like they're that interested in selling the house, just their mortgages.

Are all Estate Agents like this. Will we have to go through the same routine with each one we make offers to? Is there a simpler way of verifying our credentials?

Emmzi

the EA is being a nob. Mine did not do this at all.

Put your offer in writing and remind them they are obliged to pass it on.

The vendor may ask for evidence you are proceedable at that point. I am sure you would be delighted to discuss your position with the vendor.

ciano125

Deal directly with the sellers and tell them you are doing so because their Estate Agent is melon. I've found that people generally appreciate feedback like this!

poppysarah

Report them to their ombudsman. Pushing their financial advisor on you is wrong.

Contact the sellers and let them know about your hassle with the ea.

googler

So, even though you didn't actually meet their FA, they and their vendor were still able to 'consider' your offer sufficiently to reject it?

Sounds like if you were to put another offer in slightly higher, they might be inclined to consider that one too......

Ask them if your offer has been rejected in favour of someone else's offer. See if there's any other offers on the table. Ask the agent if another offer has been accepted (rendering the property 'Under Offer'), or is being 'considered'. Enquire. Probe.

Answers the agent gives may guide you as to whether or not you want to increase and make another offer.

And, as poppysarah says, find out which ombudsman or redress scheme they belong to (every agent has to be a member of one of these), download the code of practice appropriate to whichever it is, and if they're breaching their own code, make a formal complaint.

Note that in at least one case (the OEA scheme), the ombudsman requires you to first go through the agent's own complaints procedure BEFORE referring the case to him - you can't merely complain to the ombudsman directly.

david29dpo

Just ask the vendor. I am sure they would love to know if anything is going on before you complain.

chickmug

Bibliophile wrote: »

We made an offer on a house we liked last Friday. The EA told us they would not consider the offer until me and my husband had called into their office to see their Financial Advisor with 3 months bank statements, wage slips and proof of identity. I told them we didn't need financial advice as we already have a mortgage, which we will be porting.

Their FA was really busy so we weren't able to make an appointment until this Thursday. We have arranged to take time off work to see them as quickly as possible.

I phoned the EA today to see if we could avoid all the paperwork when they told me that our offer had been rejected.

It doesn't seem like they're that interested in selling the house, just their mortgages.

Are all Estate Agents like this. Will we have to go through the same routine with each one we make offers to? Is there a simpler way of verifying our credentials?

At the bottom is the section from the NAEA Code of Practise if it helps? The bottom paragraph one may be relevant?

5. Offers

a) By law you must tell clients as soon as is reasonably possible about all offers that you receive
at any time until contracts have been exchanged (in Scotland, missives have been concluded)
unless the offer is an amount or type which the client has specifically instructed you, in
writing, not to pass on. You must confirm such offers in writing at the earliest opportunity and
keep a written or computerised record of all offers you receive.
b) You must not discriminate, or threaten to discriminate against a prospective purchaser of your
client’s property because that person refuses to agree that you will (directly or indirectly)
provide services to them. Discrimination includes the following:
• Failing to tell the client of an offer to buy the property.
• Telling the client of an offer less quickly than other offers you have received.
• Misrepresenting the nature of the offer or that of rival offers.
• Giving details of properties for sale first to those who have indicated they are prepared to
let you provide services to them.
• Making it a condition that the person wanting to buy the property must use any other

service provided by you or anyone else.