Does an EA have to give written notification of an offer?

egyptiangirl

We've put a couple of offers in for a house but the EA said that a couple of days before 'more' had been offered and refused by the vendor. He implied it wasn't worth us offering our offer, and seemed hassle for him as they live abroad.

Firstly, does he 'have to' make our offer to the vendor regardless?
Secondly, do they 'have to' give us written acknowledgement of the offer/decline of offer?

Thanks

MissMotivation

egyptiangirl wrote: »

We've put a couple of offers in for a house but the EA said that a couple of days before 'more' had been offered and refused by the vendor. He implied it wasn't worth us offering our offer, and seemed hassle for him as they live abroad.

Firstly, does he 'have to' make our offer to the vendor regardless?
Secondly, do they 'have to' give us written acknowledgement of the offer/decline of offer?

Thanks

What Estate Agents have to do and what they actually do are two different things.

Under the Estate Agents Act 1979 all offers have to be put forward to the Vendor within a reasonable timescale and confirmed in writing.

However, if the Vendor of a property has agreed with the EA that they won't consider offers under a specified amount then the EA can decline offers lower than that on the Vendors behalf.

Fire_Fox

egyptiangirl wrote: »

We've put a couple of offers in for a house but the EA said that a couple of days before 'more' had been offered and refused by the vendor. He implied it wasn't worth us offering our offer, and seemed hassle for him as they live abroad.

Firstly, does he 'have to' make our offer to the vendor regardless?
Secondly, do they 'have to' give us written acknowledgement of the offer/decline of offer?

Thanks

To avoid this issue, I always submit offers in writing addressed to the vendor directly (delivered to the estate agent) and ask for a written response.

egyptiangirl

thanks both. I do feel it was a 'offer more now to save me work' rather than, the vendor telling them not to accept.;)

MissMotivation

egyptiangirl wrote: »

thanks both. I do feel it was a 'offer more now to save me work' rather than, the vendor telling them not to accept.;)

Don't forget that the EA works for the Vendor, so they will try and push up your offer, their Job is to get the Vendor the highest offer.

If you want the property then I would call the EA back and state that your want your offer put forward to the Vendor regardless and let them know that you will be expecting a offer confirmation letter.