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Estate agent has messed up my moving in date.

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Some weeks ago I reserved a flat and paid my reservation fee and estate agent (EA) fee. I made it VERY clear to the EA that I needed to move into the flat by a certain date and they assured me that I could do so.

Some days later after contacting them, they have told me that I can't move into the flat for a number of weeks after the move in date that we agreed on (signed paper and exchanged currency). Since then I have learned that the EA's website has the flat advertised for a move in date that made the date I was very clear moving in for impossible.

So far I have been extremely patient with the EA and have been assured again that they are looking for alternative accommodation for the deficit in dates. After each time I have contacted them, they always try to end the call as abruptly as possible and say they will contact me to keep me updated, but not once have they kept their word.

The fact is I would not have signed anything or handed over money if they said I wouldn't have been able to move in by the date I specified.

I have been searching for an alternative accommodation which has taken me a lot of time, but I'm yet to find any place that is suitable. Also I need to be in my new place by the date I specified as I have a new job which at the moment I will lose as I have no accommodation thanks to the dishonesty of the EA. :mad:

What are my rights with regards to this scenario? What can I do?
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Comments

  • HB58
    HB58 Posts: 1,787 Forumite
    Do you have anything in writing regarding the fact that the money paid was contingent on you moving in on a particular date?
  • HB58 wrote: »
    Do you have anything in writing regarding the fact that the money paid was contingent on you moving in on a particular date?

    Yes, I certainly do.
  • HB58
    HB58 Posts: 1,787 Forumite
    That should certainly help your case as I believe that the date then forms part of the contract.
  • HB58 wrote: »
    That should certainly help your case as I believe that the date then forms part of the contract.

    I agree that this is the case, but I'm not sure what I can do or how I should handle the situation.
  • Anybody have any suggestions?
  • Am I posting in the correct forum??
  • Fire_Fox
    Fire_Fox Posts: 26,026 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    People are not just sitting here waiting for you to post, could you be a bit patient? Could you please use forum 'protocol' and add to your older threads on the same subject instead of reposting? It saves us repeating ourselves. I advised you last time "It's worth running an advanced search this issue has come up many times including in the last couple of days." Did you do this?

    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4167885
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4173923
    Declutterbug-in-progress.⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
  • PasturesNew
    PasturesNew Posts: 70,698 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Only backup suggestion I can make is: airbnb.co.uk for the interim.
  • user_dilbert
    user_dilbert Posts: 20 Forumite
    edited 17 September 2012 at 9:36PM
    Fire_Fox wrote: »
    People are not just sitting here waiting for you to post, could you be a bit patient? Could you please use forum 'protocol' and add to your older threads on the same subject instead of reposting? It saves us repeating ourselves. I advised you last time "It's worth running an advanced search this issue has come up many times including in the last couple of days." Did you do this?
    [/url]

    The threads weren't answered adequately in my previous requests for advice. Additionally there is a change in circumstance and lack of replies so this is why, after several posts and no adequate responses, I asked if I was posting in the correct forum.
    Only backup suggestion I can make is: airbnb.co.uk for the interim.

    The point is, why should I personally, be expected to seek new accommodation to tide the time deficit created by the EA, which is: a) more expensive and b) not to the same standard as the permanent accommodation I have originally sought and agreed via a financial transaction?

    The EA misled me. Should they be entitled to get away with telling tenants what they like to get them to sign contracts without any trade off (time, hassle, financially or otherwise) on their part??
  • Fire_Fox
    Fire_Fox Posts: 26,026 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    The threads weren't answered adequately in my previous requests for advice. Additionally there is a change in circumstance and lack of replies so this is why, after several posts and no adequate responses, I asked if I was posting in the correct forum.

    What has changed, what was inadequate about the previous advice? As stated it is accepted 'protocol' to add to your old threads. You posted three times in one hour and one minute, you aren't the only person on MSE wanting guidance and we aren't paid to give it! :rotfl:
    Declutterbug-in-progress.⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
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