Agent refusing a viewing before completion.

Thenewhouse

Hi,

I have just exchanged on a property and will be completing within a week. Although the agent has allowed me to view the property twice last week before exchange they are completely refusing us permission to view the property again.

I need to get another builder to view the property so that they can get started ASAP after we complete.

However the estate agents branch manager has just spoken very rudely saying from a business point of view they can not allow us entry again until the day we complete?!
On their website it says its advised to view the property before completion !
What can we do in this scenario?

It is a repossesed property and thus needs a lot of work and planning. We are first time buyers and are just shocked at the response from the agent!

Lily-Rose_3

I would say 'if you refuse to let us look around, I can only assume there is something dodgy going on, and will pull out of the sale.'

libf

Lily-Rose wrote: »

I would say 'if you refuse to let us look around, I can only assume there is something dodgy going on, and will pull out of the sale.'

They've exchanged, so unless they're willing to let the seller keep their 10% (at the least), then that would be an idle threat.

fed_up_and_stressed

Lily-Rose wrote: »

I would say 'if you refuse to let us look around, I can only assume there is something dodgy going on, and will pull out of the sale.'

Bad advice. At exchange you become legally contracted to complete on the purchase. Pulling out could potentially leave you liable to massive losses.

fairy_lights

Surely it's not up to the estate agent to deny you a viewing, it would be the decision of the vendor.

Thenewhouse

Not pulling out of course and they know that! They've got their money and can't be bothered to show us around- anything we can do to get them to show us or theres no legality in this matter?

The people in the branch are all friendly - unfortunately I had the bad luck of speaking to the branch manager - the kind of woman no one wants to cross paths with!

Thenewhouse

the vendor is a company as it was a repossessed house and the keys are with the agent.. the vendor company and agent are sister companies!

POPPYOSCAR

What does that mean "from a business point of view". Did you ask them?


Perhaps they feel they have given you enough of their time by allowing you to view twice already.


Not very helpful of them and bad business practice as presumably you would not use them if you were to sell.


Perhaps get your solicitor to write to them explaining why you need access.

JimmyTheWig

You're relying on their goodwill, unfortunately.
You've exchanged contracts so have no bargaining power left.

You can appeal to them as a good customer, someone who is likely to be considering buying from them in the future, someone who would consider selling through them in the future, someone who will be suggesting to friends and family a good estate agent to use in the future, etc.
But it is up to them whether to accept your plan or not.

I don't know if this would be possible, but would it work if you offered to pay for them to give you a further viewing? If the problem is that you would be using valuable staff-hours then would funding those hours make it possible?

Rodders53

Agents have sold the house now you're exchanged, so another - accompanied - visit means more cost for them for the same commission payment from the vendors. Time is money!

Prior to exchange they were keeping you sweet, thereby ensuring you would exchange.

A non-accompanied visit would mean you could copy keys and get unrestricted access prior to completion. Not in their client's best interest!

A week really should not make much difference to your refurbishment time-scale, surely?

Thenewhouse

Thanks thats helpful advice. but a week could mean a lot when considering the rent we are paying at our current residence whilst not being able to move in to the new one! and builders seem to be getting booked faster!