Hard searched via IFA without consent?

SenseiTJ2

All -- hi,

I am a first time buyer recently going through the process of a mortgage application. I spoke with an IFA last week, who was referred by my parents (as they use him), about what deals were available.

He advised that the cheapest two on the market were Accord and Nationwide, however, he would only be able to go further if I had an offer accepted on a property, which I thought made sense (so I was not wasting his time).

Anyway, I phoned him on Monday just gone, as I have just had an offer accepted! He was out of the country at the time, and advised me to contact his office, which I did.

I spoke with his, I assume receptionist or administrator, who advised she would get in contact the IFA and get back to me. I explained I was looking to get a decision in principle from the lenders so that I could provide this to my estate agents and have a clear indication of who was likely to accept me for a mortgage.

Anyway, a few hours later I received a call advising that Accord had declined and that I was best waiting until the IFA was back on Wednesday to proceed further. I thought this was odd (a declined DIP?) and queried whether a full search had been undertaken, as I had not instructed this, however, she did not understand the difference between a soft and hard search.

I have thought nothing more of it until today when I have checked my credit report via ClearScore and highlighted that three hard searches were carried out to Accord on Monday 8th!

My question is - how can the IFA have done this? It seems so cowboy-ish to have essentially run a full application without anything from me; no signed paperwork, no breakdown of any fees or even proof of my income - literally nothing apart from a five minute phone-call the week before. I have tried to speak to him tonight, however, he has terminated the call and advised me to call him when he's working.

I have wrote a letter of complaint which I am delivering tomorrow, but was hoping someone is able to shed some-light onto this, whether it is allowed, as I am now concerned that this will affect my ability to obtain a mortgage elsewhere? I fully understand a soft-search needs to take place for a DIP, which was my intention. Surely if this had been done, there would have been a clearer indication that Accord would look to decline should a full search have taken place?

Thanks,