Estate agents fees

CN0802

If we were to sell privately to a buyer that came through our estate agents, i know that contractually we would be liable to pay the estate agent their fees, but how would they actually find out that the sale had taken place in order to chase us for their fee?

Its not that we have planned to rip the estate agent off but they have been shockingly bad at selling our property and infact cancelled the sale we had agreed with our buyers because they hadn't sold their property, which caused them to believe we had backed out of the sale. It is only because we contacted the buyers directly (through a mutual friend as it turned out) we have found out they still really want the property and are may now be ready to proceed having found a buyer themselves.

We have cancelled our agreement with our estate agent and were wondering at what point they would find out we had sold to a buyer originlly introduced by them. any help would be appreciated?

Jorgan_2

We've had solicitors contact us for our fee note in the past, by mistake, bit of a give away that one. Surveyors looking for comparables, tell us that they are valuing 18 Acacia Avenue etc, we ask a few questions & get the info we need. Disgruntled neighbours who at some time in the past have had a falling out with the seller & decide to get their own back by telling the agent what is going on. I've even had a buyer who was so disgusted at they way a property was left that they came into tell us what had gone on & gave us the new contact details for the seller.

There are a number of ways, mainly accidental, that we find things out.