ESTATE AGENT REFUSES TO TELL SELLER/HOMEOWNER THE NAMES OF VIEWERS

MaryDolly

Good Evening,

I am selling my house (Scotland).

Various people have phoned the Estate Agent to book a viewing to come and see my house.

I asked the Estate Agent- Will you please pass on the details of the viewers coming to my home so I know who is who and I can match up the viewing times with names ( the only info I have are generic emails stating you have a viewer and a time )

I was told NO- data protection- we are not allowed to tell you.

Is this correct? 

Many thanks for any guidance on this.

Falafels

It may be different in England, but I'd receive a text well in advance of any viewings with details of the applicant's name, time, and who would be showing them round!

HummingBird76

That's rubbish! When I was selling, through a highly rated EA that I couldn't fault, I'd get emails re each viewing with the viewers name and contact number. How on earth else are you meant to know who to expect??

theoretica

The most the estate agent would need to do is ask for permission to pass names on when they make the booking - or if it is online state that they use the data for this.

Mrcsmrs

When we wanted to view we were asked permission to pass on our names to the seller, I thought that would be standard. Think I’d be asking the EA to get permission and give you names. It’s hardly protected information is it? 

MaryDolly

HummingBird76 said:

That's rubbish! When I was selling, through a highly rated EA that I couldn't fault, I'd get emails re each viewing with the viewers name and contact number. How on earth else are you meant to know who to expect??

Thank you HummingBird76 and Falafels for taking the time to answer.

  That was my initial reaction!! If they dont tell me who is coming, how do I know who to expect?? Anybody could turn up and make themselves at home.

They are using the old chestnut data protection- no other explanation- just data protection.

I would have expected the emails to be just like the ones you describe HummingBird76 but Im getting nothing but an email saying you have a "viewer" at " time" " date" . That's it.

davidmcn

They're your agent, you're their principal - so their data is your data.

MaryDolly

theoretica said:

The most the estate agent would need to do is ask for permission to pass names on when they make the booking - or if it is online state that they use the data for this.

That sounds sensible and practical- it doesn't sound right what I'm being told.

Thank you for that info Mrcsmrs   and thank you davidmcn- they are supposed to be my agent collecting the info on my behalf- looks like they want to keep it all to themselves and keep me in the dark- not good and this is only the beginning!

AnotherJoe

Bizzarre. I would tell them to ask permission and anyone who wont give it, doesn't view.

I had 7 viewings of my house at the weekend was told in advance the full name of all visitors (and the agent showed them round, i wasn't in when they visited)

rik111

I would go so far as refusing all viewings unless they provide you with full names, no discussion just tell them no name no view.
Hope your not tied in too long with these muppets !

MaryDolly

AnotherJoe said:

Bizzarre. I would tell them to ask permission and anyone who wont give it, doesn't view.

I had 7 viewings of my house at the weekend was told in advance the full name of all visitors (and the agent showed them round, i wasn't in when they visited)

The name is the least info I would expect. I'd also like to know if they have sold their own house or if it is on the market etc then at least you can have an idea how fast or slow( or maybe not at all ) things may progress or how serious the viewer may be.