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Barnard Marcus - pressuring to use their solicitors and insurance.

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ExtraMask
ExtraMask Posts: 71 Forumite
Seventh Anniversary 10 Posts
edited 9 February 2020 at 1:01AM in House buying, renting & selling
Hi,
My sister-in-law is trying to buy a property and the estate agent is insisting that she uses their solicitor and the insurance company they work with.
My sister-in-law explained that she already has a solicitor arrainged and wants to choose another insurance company.
The estate agent representitive has said that she won't get the property if she doesn't agree to use their solicitor, their mortgage advisor and the insurance company they use.
As far as I'm aware this isn't legal, she doesn't want to lose out on this property but is also being seriously ripped off by Barnard Marcus.
Is she better off going directly to the seller and speaking to them and explaining the situation?
Is there anyone she can complain to about Barnard Marcus and their conduct?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
E.
«1

Comments

  • zagubov
    zagubov Posts: 17,937 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    ExtraMask said:
    Hi,
    My sister-in-law is trying to buy a property and the estate agent is insisting that she uses their solicitor and the insurance company they work with.
    My sister-in-law explained that she already has a solicitor arrainged and wants to choose another insurance company.
    The estate agent representitive has said that she won't get the property if she doesn't agree to use their solicitor, their mortgage advisor and the insurance company they use.
    .......
    Thanks,
    E.
    This is in no way a standard practise in house-buying in any major UK legal jurisdiction I'm aware of.
    Estate Agents are no more a legal expert than I am, but your SiL should demand they explain why they believe this legal necessity exists. I'd be trying to find the vendors contact details at the same time.


    There is no honour to be had in not knowing a thing that can be known - Danny Baker
  • Tom99
    Tom99 Posts: 5,371 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Second Anniversary
    Just tell Bernard Marcus that's not going to happen and make sure the vendor knows about this.
  • csgohan4
    csgohan4 Posts: 10,600 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 9 February 2020 at 8:38AM
    If they are part of the TPO, point them to the sections on passing offers to vendors

    https://www.tpos.co.uk/


    Write a letter to the vendor explaining the above
    "It is prudent when shopping for something important, not to limit yourself to Pound land/Estate Agents"

    G_M/ Bowlhead99 RIP
  • jimbog
    jimbog Posts: 2,255 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    ExtraMask said:

    The estate agent representitive has said that she won't get the property if she doesn't agree to use their solicitor, their mortgage advisor and the insurance company they use.
    Ask them for this in writing
    Gather ye rosebuds while ye may
  • cattie
    cattie Posts: 8,841 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I'd tell them I'd perhaps consider using their recommendations providing they returned to me 100% of the backhanders they get for successful recommendations.
    The bigger the bargain, the better I feel.

    I should mention that there's only one of me, don't confuse me with others of the same name.
  • The representative isn't putting anything in writing regarding those conversations, it's all verbal. The only written parts are the actual documents where it has the terms and the fees. Barnard Marcus are pressuring her to sign these and pay their fees, which is going to cost her an extra £2,000 more than what she was paying when arranging it herself.

    When my SiL says she has arranged a solicitor and will be seeking her own mortgage, Barnard Marcus are saying that they have other people interested in the property and will sell to those instead. They're also trying to pressure her in to using the home insurance and life insurance company they use. 

    I've suggested she go directly to the vendor and speak with them but she's worried that they may pull out. 


  • BrownTrout
    BrownTrout Posts: 2,298 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Just stop involving the agents deal directly with the vendors
  • Marvel1
    Marvel1 Posts: 7,436 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    ExtraMask said:

    I've suggested she go directly to the vendor and speak with them but she's worried that they may pull out. 

    Then there is nothing else to advise.
This discussion has been closed.
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