dodgy Estate Agent

Uplyme_Stinkers

A local Estate Agent I've just discovered is advertising a new development in my area and I enquired further details about one of the flats being built. I had heard rumours of issues with the site and the next door property about possible slope instability. The Estate Agent responded and said there was no issues with the site and next door and everything is going ahead with build as normal.

Further checks with local planning showed there's a major issue with site. The developer has an enforcement notice against for breach of conditions and he basically went on site excavated and caused damage to the neighbours land and property. Seems he denying it was his fault.

I complained to the Estate Agent they're advertising a new build which has no chance of being built in the time they're saying and the fact the site is basically unsafe. They haven't replied. Additional checks of the Estate Agent and i found it's owned by the same developer!!!! He's basically saying that there's no problem with site and forgetting to mention his enforcement notice and the fact the site isn't safe!!

What actions can I take against the Estate Agent (aka the developer)

Aylesbury_Duck

Paul_Weldin wrote: »

A local Estate Agent I've just discovered is advertising a new development in my area and I enquired further details about one of the flats being built. I had heard rumours of issues with the site and the next door property about possible slope instability. The Estate Agent responded and said there was no issues with the site and next door and everything is going ahead with build as normal.

Further checks with local planning showed there's a major issue with site. The developer has an enforcement notice against for breach of conditions and he basically went on site excavated and caused damage to the neighbours land and property. Seems he denying it was his fault.

I complained to the Estate Agent they're advertising a new build which has no chance of being built in the time they're saying and the fact the site is basically unsafe. They haven't replied. Additional checks of the Estate Agent and i found it's owned by the same developer!!!! He's basically saying that there's no problem with site and forgetting to mention his enforcement notice and the fact the site isn't safe!!

What actions can I take against the Estate Agent (aka the developer)

Why do you want to take action against them? Have you suffered a loss?

If you've found the fundamental problem with the development, you can be sure that anyone buying a plot there will have the problem showing up during the various checks and searches, so they simply won't have buyers until it's addressed.

Uplyme_Stinkers

I've not suffered a loss but very annoyed they're basically telling very large porkies about a site which they're promoting as being all fine!!

capital0ne

Paul_Weldin wrote: »

I've not suffered a loss but very annoyed they're basically telling very large porkies about a site which they're promoting as being all fine!!

You're wasting your time and energy trying to do something about this, move on and enjoy life.

Oakdene

Paul_Weldin wrote: »

I've not suffered a loss but very annoyed they're basically telling very large porkies about a site which they're promoting as being all fine!!

Well then, forget about it & enjoy the bank holiday weekend.

Aylesbury_Duck

Paul_Weldin wrote: »

I've not suffered a loss but very annoyed they're basically telling very large porkies about a site which they're promoting as being all fine!!

Ok, so contact them, tell them you're annoyed and then it's done with.

I'm not really sure what else you can do. As I said, they won't get far because anyone serious about buying will come across the problem and walk away.

the_quick

But people who want to potentially buy, will loose money, paying for those checks. If site is unsafe and cause damaged it should be halted. As a society we should be able to do something about it and not allow it to be swept under the carpet. If you see accident in front of your eyes, would you not stop and try to help?
Sorry not sure what can be done, maybe talk to the council, write to your MP and such.

buggy_boy

They are estate agents, its what they do....

Never ever take the word of an estate agent or trust anything they say or do. Thats generally a good starting point to deal with them anyway.

Aylesbury_Duck

the_quick wrote: »

But people who want to potentially buy, will loose money, paying for those checks. If site is unsafe and cause damaged it should be halted. As a society we should be able to do something about it and not allow it to be swept under the carpet. If you see accident in front of your eyes, would you not stop and try to help?
Sorry not sure what can be done, maybe talk to the council, write to your MP and such.

That's a rather clumsy attempt at an analogy. The two situations are not remotely comparable.

Something has been done about it, there's an enforcement notice in place which deals with the negligence of the builder. The OP has complained to the EA. Prospective buyers really should exercise some due diligence before spending money. OP stumbled across this when he wasn't looking for it, so a prospective buyer should spot it.

MEM62

Paul_Weldin wrote: »

I've not suffered a loss but very annoyed they're basically telling very large porkies about a site which they're promoting as being all fine!!

Annoyed you may be but that does not give you any recourse against wither the developer or estate agent. No point is wasting time or energy in an attempt to satisfy your frustrations. Move on and look for something else.

csgohan4

If the estate agent's lips move, their lying