Repossession process - Issues with EA

mstopham

Hello,

I am wanting to buy a repossessed house, it came to my attention approx 3 weeks ago (though it had previously been on the market for 6 months with another EA). As soon as it came to my attention I contacted the EA to arrange a viewing.

Now, I took the earliest available viewing, on the day of the viewing the person taking me round phoned me to advise an offer had gone in and had been accepted (this was over 2 weeks ago) did I still want to view?
Yes I did, do you know the offer price? - No, you will have to ask the office, I do know they turned down £XYZ though.
I contacted the office only to be told:
The offer was accepted today and unfortunately I cant say what figure its at. We are dealing with a corporate client and it does remain available up until exchange.

So I asked where and when the figure would be available to be told they were not sure yet. (This was 14th September)
I viewed and like the property so wanted a second viewing with my wife. This - due to their unavailability generally to accomodate working people - became Saturday 25th September (When I was away but my wife went alone).

I then asked again for the details of the offer on the 17th of September or details of when and where it would be published.
I got the response that the details were not avialable yet and would be in the city newspaper.

I was then away last week, I got my wife to get the newspaper on property day (Thursday) and scoured this on my return (Sun 26th) found the notice of offer and on Monday (27th) submitted my offer.
This got the response -
I cant put your offer forward until I have a copy of your AIP and your full solicitors details. We do have a sale proceeding on this property at the moment which survey has been applied for and solicitors have been instructed.

So I sorted out a Solicitor and emailed the details and then got and scanned and emailed my AIP last night.
I asked at 11:35 this morning if the email was received and if the offer had been put to the client. I got this response a few minutes later:
Yes i have. Will be dealing with it shortly.

So I am still waiting.
What I would like to know from MSE'rs is there anything wrong with any of the above, are the EA obliged to tell me about the offer if I ask or (as appears to be the case) are they allowed to keep this from me till the notice of offer?
Does it seem a bit odd that they keep this information back but then seemingly try and put me off by telling me surveys and solicitors for the current offeree have been instructed? (They could of told me the offer price and had my offer in on 15/16th Sept).
Are they allowed to request AIP and solicitor details before putting the offer forward? If it is allowed or a client stipulation am I right to feel annoyed that they didn't tell me this upfront so I would of had it ready and waiting?

I am curious because I thought the EA was duty bound and possibly legally bound to take reasonable steps to get the best price? This seems like - we have had an offer in the first 2 days so we will hinder everyone else wanting the property....