A very serious matter - filing a harassment complaint against estate agent

pmlindyloo

I cannot agree that the employers would not want to know.

After al,l the person in question would not have had access to the OP's partner's telephone number other than through work.

I do agree that, depending upon the nature of the calls, the police should be contacted.

However, if you want to pursue the matter through the employers then if this - http://www.bridgfords.co.uk/contact/ is the estate agents in question, then they are part of the Countrywide Estate Agents group. (see at bottom of first page)

If you google Countrywide Estates then there is a contact number and address.

You could telephone them first and ask for the names of the people you wish to contact.

You would need to write both to Bridgfords and Countrywide Estate if this is the route you wish to take.

Dowsett

fannyanna wrote: »

I am presuming that the estate agent has taken to texting the wife on a personal level (I'm guessing he's taken a shine to her and is trying his luck).

If my presumption is correct than that is indeed (technically) a breach of the DPA.

Correct,

No, i have not made my move yet. Still deciding what to do. I have all the details, just considering my options and trying to predict what would happen.

Thanks to all your replies.

princeofpounds

Possibly not, if he was given the number in a professional capacity, and is using it for another purpose they this is abusing his position. Having been given this contact number for use in connection with the contract to sell the OP's property ONLY, that is not an open invitation to contact her at any time.

It's not quite the case, and the point I am making is that non-specific contact is a sufficiently grey area that a data-protection case may well not succeed. Depends why the agent is getting in contact (and this relates to my ultimate point that the OP hasn't actually explained what is really upsetting them).

The data protection act only prohibits you from using personal data for a new purpose incompatible[/] with the original purpose. So passing the details to a travel agent to cold call and sell holidays would not be compatible with selling a house. But phoning up to chat about the weather might be - it might not have anything to do with a house sale, but it could be seen as maintaining a relationship with a customer, or providing them an opportunity to raise any issues if they want. Lots of sales people will want to 'touch base' with clients even if there is no business to be done at that moment.

Of course by the sounds of it the agent is doing a lot more than chatting about the weather, but all that is inferred because the OP hasn't explained what is offensive besides someone sending a text.

EDIT: I see the OP has now clarified.

OP, I would simply tell him to stop, get your wife to tell him to stop. Be brief and unemotional. If he doesn't stop, make a written complaint. And that's about it. It's annoying, but chatting someone up doesn't meet the required standard for harrassment unless you have already told them you no longer wish them to be in contact.

pimento

Has your wife told him to cease and desist?

McKneff

I dont know why you are farting about .

If some floozy from the estate agents was texting my husband about anything other than the house sale, I would be in the estate agents tout suit and do some confronting. And some embarrasing loud conversations in front of colleagues, boss and clients.

Why are you not doing so. Why is your wife not doing anything.
Is she answering his texts.

Is there more than you are telling us, it seems awful strange unless of course you are trolling.

Acc72

Dowsett wrote: »

Correct,

No, i have not made my move yet. Still deciding what to do. I have all the details, just considering my options and trying to predict what would happen.

Thanks to all your replies.

"A very serious matter" - "still deciding what to do".

As somebody else has said, this sounds as though you and your wife are seperated/getting divorced - is this correct ?

If so, how does your wife feel about this?

It just sounds as though somebody is trying to chat up your ex-wife, in which case this is none of your business - you just want him to sell the house for the best price as soon as possible.

blargh

Wow, do all estate agents have to pass a Scumbag Test before they're offered a job or something? (Apologies to any decent estate agents on here, I know there are a few of you!)

RabbitMad

Dowsett wrote: »

Correct,

No, i have not made my move yet. Still deciding what to do. I have all the details, just considering my options and trying to predict what would happen.

Thanks to all your replies.

Your wife should send a simple text back saying she thought that her Husband would be more the EAs type.

And then a complaint to the manager and swap agents

rpc

Be clear - is your wife feeling harassed or are you annoyed that someone else is giving her (in your eyes) the come-on? You haven't said and it is possible she sees a friendly EA while you see someone trying to get in her knickers.

If she feels harassed:

Complain to the boss/CEO. In writing.

After that, make a complaint to the ICO - depending on the contents of the texts they may not interpret this as a breach, but that's for them to determine. There is a line between maintaining a friendly relationship and improper conduct. You need to offer the company a chance to put it right first, hence the initial complaint to them.

Speak to the police. Show them the texts.

Can your mobile provider block his number? Worth asking them.

giddypenguin

Have you or your wife asked him to stop yet? Just a text back saying, 'I feel this is inappropiate, please only contact me with regard to the sale of my house' No need to go down the complaint route yet - he may not realise he's offending anyone.

This is of course, if your wife is offended by this, or is it just you?