EA wont let buyer have the HIP

RacyRed

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Well, this thread started with someone finding access to the HIP was obstructed by the Agent, so it seems to happen. We have also had from one Agent's perspective the line that they are doing nothing wrong if they do obstruct - and I thought that the claim that it is not wrong for the Agent to do so a bit disingenuous - because it took the idea of wrong as being a breach of the law and completely disregarded the Agent's duty to the client and did not take into account that providing the HIP is at seller's discretion and the Agent can only distribute the HIP under delegation of the seller's authority.

I think that most sellers would be strong enough to put the Agent in their place if the Agent started to decide who should and should not get the HIP on their own authority. It gets more difficult for buyers being refused the HIP by the Agent, because the buyer does not have an overview of what the Agent and the seller have agreed. This is where Agents can start to get above themselves without the seller's knowledge - and this is where I think weaker buyers do need encouragement to go around the Agent.

It just happened again! The property I was interested in is on the dry edge of a flood area and I wanted to see where the sewers are in relation to the property itself and compare this to the Environment Agency flood risk map. This time it was a branch of a large firm of EAs.

As a buyer I'm just walking away from a property when easy access to the HIP is refused. My view is that if estate agents are not putting their clients interests first then they are hardly likely to be very much concerned about me as a buyer.

The people I feel really sorry for are all the sellers out there who may have no idea at all that these EAs are costing them viewings.

I'm getting really annoyed about this now. As buyers, can we publicly name the agencies giving us HIP problems so the sellers themselves are aware that control may be being taken out of their hands? I've not named any so far, but I'd love to!

pastmybest

Hi Racyred

Just go ahead and name them as many people on the forum name and shame other companies.

Engelbert

I would also be interested to know which firm of EA this is. The only one we have encountered who have done this are a national firm whose name begins with C.

They are also VERY difficult about trying to force us to usetheir mortgage broker rather than ours and as a result I wouldn't buy from them now...

RacyRed

I think you are right, if the agencies are not named it will be virtually impossibe for sellers to know if they are affected or not.

My experiences have been with Agencies in Rowlands Gill, Tyne & Wear, they are: -

J D Estates
Rook Matthews Sayer

Any others?

Hopejack

I am surprised at Rook I have to say, especially as they are primarily surveyors, but then haven't had too many dealings with them, they have an office down the road from me.

Breath of fresh air tonight, potential buyer of my place (has viewed twice now in 24 hours!) has asked for a copy of my HIP. My EA mentioned it and said she was really keen for him to have it as often it meant less headaches later if they read it properly and if there was anything they didn't like it can either be ironed out, or, they don't offer but then don't break a sale a bit later because they didn't read it - if that makes sense. Isn't it nice to have an EA who thinks a bit!

Racy - Rowlands Gill is nice - good luck with your search.

muskoka

Well - heres more for you.

I'm a cash buyer (funds in the bank) asked EA if vendor would be interested in cash offer 15% off asking price subject to viewing (Been on market 12 months +). EA said no. So I didn't get to view.
Had ex=hubby (best friend) phone week later to arrange a viewing (hes no intention of moving). EA arranged viewing for him, so we got to view as Mr & Mrs Y. haha. Ex hubby asked for copy of HIP after viewing. EA said NO - you can view it in our office if you want to see it. I'm now pondering writing to vendor direct ...

I don't want to deal with !!!!!! like this.

Hopejack

What is the issue? Don't most people get an online copy of their HIP? I immediately asked my provider for a copy as well as a hard copy. The provider then sent an email copy to the EA as well - no issue..... Surely online copies of HIPs are easy to port.

RacyRed

Hopejack wrote: »

What is the issue? Don't most people get an online copy of their HIP? I immediately asked my provider for a copy as well as a hard copy. The provider then sent an email copy to the EA as well - no issue..... Surely online copies of HIPs are easy to port.

I think the real issue is EAs on a power trip at the expense of their clients. :mad:

Muskoka, I'd always taken the bad press EAs got with a pinch of salt, but after having tried and failed to get some EAs to even return my calls or respond to emails I'm seriously beginning to wonder what the hell is going on out there! Write to the vendor, let them know what is going on.

Don't Estate agents want buyers? Is there some sort of competition going on to see who can have a house on the market the longest?

I've had contact with one agency, :TYellow in Prudhoe,:T who have responded promply, been polite and were frank with me about a property I'm interested in. I just wish I could ask them to approach other vendors for me.

Hopejack

I sometimes wonder if EAs take too many properties on their books and really just can't look after/service them all properly to be honest Racy. The EA I'm using doesn't have a huge amount of properties which I actually saw as a plus (some would say not many on their books makes them look a bit sparse but with Rightmove these days etc I don't think it matters), the EA service so far from the seller pov has been very good, can't fault it really. Of course, I still need a buyer but it's only been a week!

RacyRed

It sounds like you're taking the right approach with a good smaller estate agent Hopejack. I search on Rightmove, Zoopla, Globrix and Mouseprice plus pot luck google searches and think I probably get to see most of the advertised properties available.

God luck with your sale, you aren't selling in the Derwent Valley area are you?