Estate agent wants £95 if I remove the property.

cypher007

I have had my property on the market for about 12 weeks of a 16 week contract with a local agent.

In the contract it lists a fee of £95 for photos. Initially when I spoke about using the agent they mentioned this fee, but it was if I sold it before they took over the selling of the property and had already done photos. This I could see would be unfair. But now after 12 weeks I have given them 28 days notice as I want to take the property off the market till spring. They have said I will be sent an invoice for the £95.

When I queried this they said it wouldn’t matter if I took it off the market after 3 months or 3 years the fee would apply. I assumed the fee died with the end of the agreed contract period?

How do I go about sorting them out?

mrginge

What do you mean ‘sorting them out’?

What does the contract actually say?

My guess is you owe them this fee.

cypher007

My view is that I’ve never heard of paying an agent diddly if they don’t sell your house. Apart from back in the financial crash when some cheeky ones tried charging for similar stuff.

The way I look at is if you value it and then can’t sell it after the contracted period then not my problem or cost. If on the other had I’d turned back after a couple of weeks and said ah I think I’ll stay here, then yes I can see them wanting some fees as you’ve effectively broken the contract early.

hazyjo

You are so wrong. Plenty (still!) charge fees for all sorts of reasons, it all depends on what you signed in the contract.

Davesnave

cypher007 wrote: »

My view is that....

Your view is neither here nor there; it's the terms of the contract you signed which decide whether a fee is due or not.


We can't see the terms & conditions of your contract, so what do they say about the charge you're disputing?

BrassicWoman

they've done the work


you've changed your mind


they're out of pocket


you sound like a prize...


Morally, you owe them.

AdrianC

You are in a 16wk contract.
You want to cancel after 12wks.


Yes, there's likely to be fees payable.

cypher007

No Ive given them 28 days notice at 12 weeks and want them to stop marketing after 16 weeks.

00ec25

cypher007 wrote: »

No Ive given them 28 days notice at 12 weeks and want them to stop marketing after 16 weeks.

so you obviously read that bit of the contract. What else does it say about fees?

mrginge

Can you post the contract terms or not?

If not then there is no point in your question.

eddddy

cypher007 wrote: »

No Ive given them 28 days notice at 12 weeks and want them to stop marketing after 16 weeks.

Some EAs do charge 'withdrawal fees' / 'termination fees'.

e.g. You cannot terminate the contract within the first 16 weeks, and you have to pay a £95 fee if you terminate after 16 weeks.

That's one reason it's really important to read and compare EA contracts, before you choose an EA. Other EAs in your area may not be charging this kind of fee.