advice please

tn48884

Hi, this is the first post I have written on here… so hi folks! I’m looking for some help and advice if possible. I’m writing about my dad. He is 56 and not in great health. He is disabled, lives off benefits (I help him money wise if he needs it) and he owns his house with his ex – partner. They have been split for around 4 years. They don’t have kids but they are the legal guardians of 2 children (her twin’s kids – twin passed away some time ago). For the best part of 4 years they have got on and lived together just as friends. They sleep in separate rooms and lead there own lives. Things in the past year have taken a turn for the worse. My dads health has got worse and so has there relationship. They both want to sell the house and it was on the market for about a year but they never had a viewing. I think the reason behind this is due to the fact of the current climate and that they were asking too much. The Estate Agents were charging them for keeping the house on the market. I have recently bought my first house with my partner and to be honest my step dad helped when it came to the legal side of things so I’m not very knowledgeable in this field! I need to know if all estate agents will charge you for the advertisement of the sale before it has been sold – if that makes sense? And if anyone could tell me if he sold the house could he then possibly get a council flat or sheltered housing as he won’t afford to buy again or rent privately. He wont make anything out of the sale as they have debts that need cleared off.
If anyone could help please do. I find myself getting worried about him and he kind of depends on me… even though he won’t admit it.

Thanks in advance J

Marksy

When I sold my last house, I wasn't charged for the time it was on the market - they just took a commission on the sale price (which, was 1% if I remember correctly).

I'd change estate agents, personally - perhaps you could be involved with getting it on the market?

We sold with a local firm.

3wisemonks

His agent if ripping them off:mad:

Please please please get your Dad to change agents, I have never heard of an agent charging for ads etc. Fee's are charged after the sale of the house, set the fee at what you want not the agent, and pay no more.

Agents here are charging as low as 1%, this is paid to the agent once the sale is completed, the solicitor is invoiced by the agent, the vendor should receive a copy for their records and the solicitor pays the agent. Unless solicitors aren't involved (rare) the vendor pays no money directly to the agent.

These types of agents give them all a bad name:(

HelenDaveKids

I agree. Sounds a bit dodgey to me.

tn48884

thanks guys... they actually took the house off the market as they couldnt afford it Thanks you for your replies! I have this on another board too so im jumping between the two! I feel awful for him. I have also emailed the housing department at the council asking for some advice into housing etc for one the poperty is sold.

Thanks again x

3wisemonks

Really hope you're able to help your Dad with the selling.

As for the council, I'm afraid I have very little idea, it sounds like you are heading in the right direction.

Good luck

happycamel_2

I'm afraid he is unlikely to be allocated council housing because he will have intentionally made himself homeless. I agree that the estate agent shouldn't be charging upfront fees. Can you wrote to complain that it isn't industry practice, ask for a contract that your dad signed that agreed to it and ask them to reimburse some of it on the basis that it was ineffective.