Trying to avoid paying multiple fees

jez9999

So I've been marketing my property through one sole agency for about 5 weeks. There was one offer but it fell through. A few other people have also looked round the property.

I know the name of the person who offered but that's all. I've cancelled with that estate agent, and am now wanting to put a couple of other estate agents onto selling the property. My question is: how can I avoid paying fees to multiple agencies?

My 2 concerns are:
- Somebody who was introduced to the house through my initial agent might make an offer through one of the new agents I market the property through; the initial agent and the new agent could both demand fees.
- Somebody from one of the new agents might offer on the property through 2 or more of them (or view the property through one, then offer through another) and both agents could demand their fee for the house sale.

Is it standard practice for agents to give out the full name of anyone they show around the property, if asked by the seller? I can't see any other way for me to avoid this situation, because if I don't know who's being shown around I can't ensure they always go through the same agency. Certainly, in my experience estate agents don't volunteer to tell you the names of everyone they're showing around, and there may even be some data protection law against it.

ethank

When you deinstruct them, ask them to contact the new agents with a list. They probably will not, but at least you've done all you need to do.

jez9999

Have I though? The fact that I requested they do that doesn't change the legal requirement for them to be paid.

G_M

When you write to end the contract, at the same time ask them to send you a list of everyone they've introduced, to ensure you are able to pay them their commission if one of those people ends up buying.


Then pass that list to the new agent(s).

jez9999

Well, I've asked. What about the other problem, of having 2 or more agencies working at the same time and a buyer going through more than one of them?

diggingdude

If they don't pass on the list it's a he says she says situation if they try to claim fees, put in writing you expect a list or will consider the contract condition removed (probs won't work but worth a try)