You can't offer unless you speak to our in-house mortgage broker....

Ulfar

If your bank is switched on you will have been given a card by their mortgage adviser when arranging your agreement in principle. Give these details to the EA and they can ring the adviser who will confirm you are ok for the funds.

This satisfies any need that the EA has to verify you can proceed. Do not ever give an estate agents mortgage broker your details as others have said they are working for the enemy.

Mrs_Money

Another thread here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2761362= this was my experience -
-as others have said, quote the 1979 Estate Agents Act at them - they are in breach of it - but it seems many more desperate EAs are happy to try this trick and rely on buyers' ignorance of the law - their potential vendors probably would not be happy to hear about it!

princeofpounds

Careful with that - if you've viewed through that first agent, the vendors will owe them commission for the introduction.

Not necessarily. An EA needs to introduce them to the sale. A viewing won't count if the EA later obstructs them (Although evidence of this would be necessary as the EA would of course claim they did no such thing!).

Anyway, re the OP. As pointed out, chuck the Act at them, complain to their top guy and copy in trading standards if they even try to fob you off. Submit your offer in writing and remind them that they have a legal duty to pass it on (which they do). You can also contact the vendor direct and make them aware of the obstructive and self-interested nature of their agent (though best to do this verbally or in very neutral terms so that you don't write anything potentially libellous).

B19jon_2

Hi all,

Thanks very much for the replies. I'm trying to get hold of the agent again now and have no intention of attending any appointment.

Many thanks,

Jon

poppasmurf_bewdley

Isn't the Estate Agent SUPPOSED to act for his client, and ONLY his client in any transaction?

Surely, trying to compel a prospective purchaser to take out a mortgage through them is AGAINST the interests of their client?

It would be restricting their clients chance of a sale, and therefore against their clients interests!

princeofpounds

Surely, trying to compel a prospective purchaser to take out a mortgage through them is AGAINST the interests of their client?

Yes but...

An agent works for themselves, always, above all.

sunshinetours

Whilst you may have the law and EA's regs on your side, the reality is if you really like the house and don't want to lose it then just tell the agent you will see their broker once the offer has been presented and agreed

Unfortunately this appears to be common place and has been some time. We last bought a house about 5/6 years ago and several agents tried this trick but we just ignored them and told them to put forward our offer. We also put our offers in writing and faxed them juts so there was an actual paper trail if required

You could always book another viewing and have a quiet word with vendor and explain you are trying to make an offer of course....

Gwhiz

Tell them you're more than happy to talk to them as long as it's in Mandarin

SuzieSue

sunshinetours wrote: »

You could always book another viewing and have a quiet word with vendor and explain you are trying to make an offer of course....

Or if the vendor still lives in the property, there is nothing stopping you from posting a copy of the offer through their letter box.

B19jon_2

Thanks all, I convinced them to fill out the offer form this afternoon by going to the branch in person (although I did speak to the assistant this time as the manager I am dealing with wasn't available). In anycase, they have a formal offer recorded now.

It wasn't the fact necessarily that I had to see them, it is the fact that the only sensible (non-working day appointments) that were available are in 3 weeks time!!

Awaiting a response to the first offer now, I just hope that it isn't this hard for the rest of the negotiation!


Jon