Incompetent agent

danadanny

We are selling our property.

An offer was submitted and was accepted by us. The next day, the estate agent rang me to get my solicitor's details and mentioned that the offer includes white goods plus wardrobe. I was caught by surprise as we have not been informed when the offer was first submitted.

The agent admitted it was her mistake and her excuse was there were a lot of backwards and forwards with the offers and this important fact have been missed. The truth was there wasn't much backwards and forwards. Even if there is, the agent should not have missed this.

Now, the buyer expects the property includes the white goods and wardrobe which we intended to take with us.

What can we do?

jimbog

Get the agent to notify the buyer that they had made a mistake

danadanny

Done that. As far as the buyer is concerned, she has done nothing wrong and insist that we honour the offer.

Can we demand compensation from the agent?

LandyAndy

danadanny wrote: »

Done that. As far as the buyer is concerned, she has done nothing wrong and insist that we honour the offer.

Can we demand compensation from the agent?

The buyer has done nothing wrong. That doesn't mean you have to accept her offer.


I don't think there are any grounds for demanding compensation, what could you be compensated for?

[Deleted User]

It wasn't your offer (to leave white goods and wardrobe), it was the Estate Agents.., suggest to them they sort it or they pay for the white goods and wardrobe she wants.

You could have other options:-

1. Depending on how quickly you want the house to sell. You could just back out of the sale if you feel strongly enough.
2. I suppose you could buy cheap second hand white goods/wardrobe and put them in place of the ones the Estate Agent offered. Put your white goods in storage. It sounds like the purchaser is trying to take advantage a little bit, even if the EA made a mistake. Or
3. Accept a reduced offer if the offer was made in recognition of the goods being in place.

snifflette

Can the estate agent reduce their fee to cover costs?

MadelinesMum

If you are really unhappy about it you could always pull out. You have to weigh it up though - do you think you would get another offer as good as this one? Unless the appliances / wardrobe are worth thousands then I would consider just going ahead. My Bosch washing machine cost a few hundred pounds but in reality a second hand one the same would only be about £60 to £80. It would be a different story if you had Miele or another expensive brand though.
Good luck

Ozzuk

They noticed their mistake in one day...people make mistakes. Now you understand the full offer either accept it or say no. As mentioned, how much are those items worth to you - in all probability they'll come back and offer say 1k less.

danadanny

Thank you for all your replies.

It is not so much the price of the items. It is the fact that the decision was taken out of my hands and that really annoys me.

I will fight tooth and nail to have the agent's fees reduced.

danadanny

LandyAndy wrote: »

I don't think there are any grounds for demanding compensation, what could you be compensated for?

Compensate the outgoings for getting new wardrobe and white goods for my new place. Even if we are not bringing those items along, I could have sold them on eBay.

Pixie5740

How much do you think second hand furniture and white goods are worth?

Yes the agent has f**ked up and as someone else has suggested you could ask the EA for a discount on your fees to compensate their error. Alternatively, negotiate a new price with your buyer or find a new buyer.