Estate Agent charging buyer finders fee?

katejo

agrinnall wrote: »

If the vendor is happy to accept the asking price then there is no way I would be paying any more than that. How about you contact the seller direct and tell them that you will pay their asking price but won't have any dealings with the EA - the seller will probably have to pay any fees they have agreed in their contract with the EA, but you shouldn't be paying them anything.

Is the vendor aware that they are only going to get the asking price and not the amount in excess because that extra will count as the fee ? I find this approach crazy as the agent is supposed to be working for the seller . Buyer beware and all that so why should you pay a fee?

k0sh

Does the Estate Agent belong to the Ombudsman scheme or the NAEA?
You could complain to them or ask their advice.

tim123456789

G_M wrote: »

Pity you asked for written confirmation. You are well on the way to agreeing a contract on this basis.

Had you ignored them and just proceeded, you could have refused to pay their bill saying you have no contract with them...

!

Not you couldn't, because the telephone conversation will have created one

(though whether they will be able to prove it is another matter)

tim

Jaybo10

k0sh wrote: »

Does the Estate Agent belong to the Ombudsman scheme or the NAEA?
You could complain to them or ask their advice.

I have looked but they don't seem to be listed on either.

Jaybo10

The seller is an elderly lady who lives alone in the house and her son is the contact with the estate agent.

Looking at the situation from the sellers perspective, I think I would be a bit concerned if a potential buyer turned up at the house to speak to my elderly mother, or even that they posted a note through the door politely questioning the methods of the estate agent chosen. Bare in mind we are in a very competitive market, we like this house and would not like to lose it if it can be avoided.

In the meantime the estate agent offices were not open today so will get people to make calls on monday to establish if this is a normal way for them to sell houses.

And I will be calling my solicitor too on Monday to get on the case!

Many thanks for your help/ thoughts so far

Riggster

Tell the EA to F off. Your offer is what you're prepared to buy the house for. If anyone tries to charge you a fee, adjust your offer downwards accordingly.

Jaybo10

Just to update. We were outbid on the house. We're half sad as it was a wonderful opportunity, but also very glad we won't be giving that EA any of our money!

2 viewings on Saturday - the hunt continues...

KnightSmile

I have seen introductory fees cropping up on houses in the south east for around 2% of asking price. ridiculous!

I keep being outbid on properties (offering slightly over asking!) so I'd love to tell them to stick it but don't think I will have a choice in the end

It massively takes the mick though!!