Estate Agent Notice

petunia100

My contract with my EA runs out soon and I want to change to another. I doesn't appear to say in the contract what notice I have to give them.

What notice is expected?

princeofpounds

Are you a house vendor who is trying to sell a house through an EA, or a tenant who is trying to rent a house through an EA.

If the former, basically you are bound by the terms of the contract, and if there is no provision for exit from the agreement then you should be able to exit at any time by terminating the contract. Contracts without termination clauses are normally considered to be unenforceable - you cannot be 'tricked' into a permanent business relationship.

However, I'd hope someone can come along and confirm what I have told you as it's not something I have spent a lot of time learning about.

petunia100

princeofpounds wrote: »

Are you a house vendor who is trying to sell a house through an EA, or a tenant who is trying to rent a house through an EA.

If the former, basically you are bound by the terms of the contract, and if there is no provision for exit from the agreement then you should be able to exit at any time by terminating the contract. Contracts without termination clauses are normally considered to be unenforceable - you cannot be 'tricked' into a permanent business relationship.

However, I'd hope someone can come along and confirm what I have told you as it's not something I have spent a lot of time learning about.

I am a house vendor trying to sell my house.

The contract is coming to it's end, but it says nothing about giving notice after that time.

princeofpounds

If there is an end date, then that is the end date. No notice needs to be given, although you should confirm it in advance in writing so that it's clear to all parties the contract will be ending.

delmar39

We had a 6 week contract with an EA, who turned out to be awful. We could only give notice to terminate the contract once our 6 weeks was up. It was written into the contract that we had to give two weeks notice. Effectively we were tied in for the contract period, but once this was up we could give notice to terminate. So, you'd be best finding out. Perhaps give them a call state your reasons for wanting to leave them and get them to outline the process. At this point they might up their game or get a bit awkward. If it's the latter get out asap if it's the former then you might not have to move after all. We did move to another and sold within 3 weeks of moving.

SimonMrGreenWard

Great advice above. Agents often up their game once they think they're going to lose you. Good luck. I'd write to them asap and then follow it up with a call so they acknowledge receipt of the notice.

roger196

Ask them for a list of introductions they have made so that if one of these subsequently purchase your house it is clear who the commission belongs to.

Jojo1daffy

I terminated my contract with my EA today. Had to give 2 weeks written notice and I'm not allowed to instruct another EA until that period is up.

G_M

Jojo1daffy wrote: »

I terminated my contract with my EA today. Had to give 2 weeks written notice and I'm not allowed to instruct another EA until that period is up.

You ARE allowed to instruct another EA - no one can remove that right. But commision might be payable to both agents if you do!

:beer:

petunia100

SimonMrGreenWard wrote: »

Great advice above. Agents often up their game once they think they're going to lose you. Good luck. I'd write to them asap and then follow it up with a call so they acknowledge receipt of the notice.

Even if they did up their game I would still change as they have been terrible and at times really rude.

delmar39

petunia100 wrote: »

Even if they did up their game I would still change as they have been terrible and at times really rude.

I think you know, like we did, when your relationship with current EA has come to an end. Communication broke down and it was as if we were doing something wrong by asking for regular updates or challenging their strategy for selling our house. When they're getting in excess of £3.5k for their services I don't expect any of this. Our second EA was simply the best - sold it for us in 3 weeks. A bit of luch perhaps, but even so, I felt that they were on our side. Best of luck.