Pushy estate agent- HELP!

sarahse24

We are FTBs who have had an offer accepted on a flat. We have had our home buyers report done, and the surveyor advised that due to rising and penetrating damp and a suspicion about dry rot we have a full damp and timber survey done. This is no surprise as the property is in need of full renovation.

We have arranged and paid for a survey to happen next week by a reputable company. Our EA is now saying that the vendor is unhappy with us doing this and will only proceed with the sale if we use a surveyor suggested by the EA!

The EA is trying to force us to use a surveyor of their choice, which seems completely unreasonable as we are paying for it. It also seems like a clear conflict of interest. We don’t want to annoy the vendor but it seems like a very strange reason to pull out of the sale.

Personally I think that the EA is manipulating both us and the vendor but I would appreciate any advice on this!

abaxas

Use the words 'fork' and 'off' and walk away.

Job done.

G_M

Under no circumstances use a professional chosen by the Estate Agent.

The EA works for, and is paid by, the seller, not you. He does NOT have your best interests at heart.

Just tell the EA/seller you want access for your surveyor or your offer will be withdrawn.

No discussion. Maybe put it in writing to ensure no discussion!

Having said that, I hope your selected company is not a damp company offering a free 'survey'? This will be done by a salesman who will ... surprise... find problems that his company can fix.

Always use an independant surveyor who charges a fee for professional services and has no vested interest in the outcome.

jjlandlord

Get your own survey done and tell the agent that his client, the seller, is obviously free to pay for his own similar survey using their own surveyor if they want another opinion.

If they refuse that you have your own surveyor conduct a survey on your behalf, you pull out.

couponqueen123

i would just say to the EA that you are BUYING the house so you will use the surveyer of your choice as your clearly allowed to , if you feel the estate agents trying something on be upfront and tell them you will be abble to tell by there reaction, also clearly state there are plenty of houses so you culd go eles where but do not have the EA do the survey or there people ( it quite common for there to be nothing wrong when there is substanchel damage) they jst want the fees and there profit from the house always rember that

sarahse24

Thank you for your advice so far - it's very helpful! We will stick to our guns. It's hard to know whether she is telling the truth about the vendor threatening to pull out. We have asked our solicitor to contact the vendor directly for us as well.

Do you know how to make a complaint about an estate agent? We have been pushed around and on occasion shouted at by this agent, and unfortunately she is the boss of the company so there is no one higher than her to speak to about her conduct. She is incredibly patronising and pushy.

Thanks all!

Yorkie1

If she is a member of the NAEA then you could try a complaint there. Otherwise, no route of complaint. They are entirely unregulated legally.

Ivana_Tinkle

Do you have any way of contacting the vendor directly, even just a note through the door? I presume they wouldn't be too happy to know that their EA is jeopardising their sale. Having encountered a couple of EAs like this, I'd say it's best to leave her out of the equation and deal with the vendor directly, especially when any problems arise. You may well find out that the vendor has been told a completely different story to you!

SuzieSue

Ivana_Tinkle wrote: »

Do you have any way of contacting the vendor directly, even just a note through the door? I presume they wouldn't be too happy to know that their EA is jeopardising their sale. Having encountered a couple of EAs like this, I'd say it's best to leave her out of the equation and deal with the vendor directly, especially when any problems arise. You may well find out that the vendor has been told a completely different story to you!

Exactly what I was thinking. The vendor needs to know what the EA is like as I am sure they would be horrified to hear how you have been treated.

Ulfar

As first time buyers you have to ask do you really want to get involved with a flat with serious damp and possible dry rot.

Trust me from experience you don't.

You need a proper survey, which to investigate the issues highlighted will cause damage if it is done thoroughly.

However if there is damp/dry rot and the vendor has covered it up, there is no way they will withdraw from the sale. They will be praying that your surveyor doesn't uncover all the problems.

Who knows what else they have covered up, run away from this fast.

LisaLou1982

Are you sure the EA isnt suggesting a surveyor to give a comparible price should you decide to renegotiate after your survey?

Agree with others who state that you need a specialist rather than someone who puts a damp meter against the wall...

If the vendor wants additional quotes then why not? But thats for them to pay...not you!