Estate agent greedy for his commission - 92 year old mother

Person_one

Surrey_EA wrote: »

I've never ever heard of anyone making a claim like this.

Either there are EAs out there who are completely and utterly nuts, and far worse than any I've come across in over 20 years, and I've come across more than most.

Or this whole story has been made up.

It does sound incredible, doesn't it?

saajan_12

There could be an issue with being tied into a contract with an EA if you wanted to sell without them, but since you don't want to sell, you can just ride it out..

Firstly, they can't force you to sell.. for that you'd need sols, sign a bunch more contracts..

There MIGHT be some commission due but only:
- IF they found a 'ready, willing and able' buyer; and
- IF your mum's contract stipulated that's when commission was due, rather than on exchange/completion; and
- IF a buyer agreed despite you/mum not allowing viewings nor responding to enquiries.

I'd say those are some mighty 'if's.. so just leave it 'on the market' and suddenly find all viewing times inconvenient.. maybe even raise the price to minimise interest.

eddddy

Your mother has cancelled the contract - so now move on.

You and your mother have no need to have further contact with the EA.

If they send you some type of bill, write back with an official complaint saying that no money is owed, because you cancelled the contract during the cooling off period.

If you are unhappy with the EA's response, complain in writing to the Property Ombudsman.

Don't visit the EA's office, and don't discuss it on the phone with the EA.

AnotherJoe

copperjar wrote: »

Doesn't mean the only option is a care home!

Since I didn't say or even imply a care home was the only option why did you make up that I said it was ?

davidmcn

Person_one wrote: »

It does sound incredible, doesn't it?

Also, there wasn't a house matching the OP's description going on Rightmove on the morning they claimed it did. Bit odd.

contrivant

This is just a crazy, wackadoodle idea. But what if YOU offered on the property. Something ridiculous like £1. Your mom can accept it, you get a solicitor and move it into your name. Job done, pay them their .01p and your mom lives out her days in her home.

I honestly don't even know if any of that is doable, legally, but it sounds like an awesome story!

Bonfire_Bride

contrivant wrote: »

This is just a crazy, wackadoodle idea. But what if YOU offered on the property. Something ridiculous like £1. Your mom can accept it, you get a solicitor and move it into your name. Job done, pay them their .01p and your mom lives out her days in her home.

I honestly don't even know if any of that is doable, legally, but it sounds like an awesome story!

They would still incur solicitors fees etc though..:cool: but yes, i'm sure it's gone on.

Has the property been removed from Rightmove? I would just leave it now...if they want to chase for money, then let them.

G_M

Now is the time to cease all contact with the agents. Ignore their letters, invoices, phonecalls, everything.

They will then have only two courses of action open
1) give up and go away
2) sue via the courts.
Since they would never win a court action, 2) will not happen.

the difficulty is protecting your mother in the meantime from the letters, invoices, phonecalls etc.

Consider my earlier ideas of getting her post re-directed, and some form of incoming call-barring, so your mum does not have to deal with them.

Bing2007

Can't help but feel that there is much more to this story....

Kynthia

Have they sent you an invoice yet? I would expect them to try and get a marketing fee from you rather than some of the commission.