PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

How do I report an unscrupulous estate agent?

Options
2

Comments

  • aoleks said:
    phone the agent again and record the conversation. say you think you misunderstood him the first time.

    then get the house for the lowest possible price without paying them anything or else...
    Recorded convos are only admissible in court if you tell the other person you're recording the convo at the start, and ask for their permission to continue, in case that's what you're thinking.
  • doodling
    doodling Posts: 1,272 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    Hi,

    Off topic I know but:
    adhoc said:
    thanks for the replies and advice. Hmm I don’t think they would put this in writing and a recording of a conversation without consent is not allowed right? 
    Providing you are a party to the conversation then recording it is perfectly legal, you are not obliged to notify the other party.

    Data protection laws will have an effect on who you can lawfully share the recording with.

    Personally I would talk direct to the owner, explain what has happened and check that your offer has been correctly communicated. Trying to report the corrupt agent doesn't help you buy a house so it is not a priority.
  • Urgh. I would put a letter through the owner's door telling them what the agent is up to, that they're breaking the law, and that they're now entitled to sack the estate agent for breaking contract terms and recruit another, if they wish. And give them your contact details.

    Plus what others say re Trading Standards, Police and Ombudsman, later down the line, if you really care enough.
  • TripleH
    TripleH Posts: 3,188 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If mischievous, you could say, that its really generous of the estate agent to make up the £15k 'shortfall' but you can't possibly ask them to pay.
    That or you 'agree 😉' to play their game with money on completion and just continue the purchase through your solicitor (though do let them know you have concerns about the estate agent). Don't pay the money to the estate agents, its unlikely they'll get far trying to get you to pay via court. Your defense is you thought they were joking because their proposal sounds illegal.
    Any solicitor who colludes with the estate agent to pay the fee from seller's gunds deserves striking off. (When I sold my first home my conveyancer vanished mid way through the sale due to dipping into client money and his assistant took over).
    May you find your sister soon Helli.
    Sleep well.
  • adhoc
    adhoc Posts: 32 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 29 June 2023 at 1:07AM
    Just tell them to submit your offer to the buyer and if they fail to do so you will report them. I'd be surprised if the other offers even exist. 
    They were definitely doing lots of viewings, that I do know. Properties in that area of outer north London are going like hotcakes and normally for a lot more. 
  • adhoc
    adhoc Posts: 32 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    doodling said:
    Hi,

    Off topic I know but:
    adhoc said:
    thanks for the replies and advice. Hmm I don’t think they would put this in writing and a recording of a conversation without consent is not allowed right? 
    Providing you are a party to the conversation then recording it is perfectly legal, you are not obliged to notify the other party.

    Data protection laws will have an effect on who you can lawfully share the recording with.

    Personally I would talk direct to the owner, explain what has happened and check that your offer has been correctly communicated. Trying to report the corrupt agent doesn't help you buy a house so it is not a priority.
    Thank you that’s really helpful. We have been listening to calls on on loudspeaker. If he calls back will record. This company are so dodgy that even though we would love to buy this house we are now so put off. But I think its so morally unfair that this greedy company want to take a cut off what is rightfully the seller’s money - for us the price is within what we were willing to pay. 
  • Hate to say that this happens in the world. The neighbour opposite my parents' house gave the EA a 5K backhander to get the house. It's totally wrong, but it happens. There will be a buyer that takes the EA up on their offer. I personally don't believe in buying a house this way - doesn't sit right for obvious reasons.
  • KievLover said:
    Recorded convos are only admissible in court if you tell the other person you're recording the convo at the start, and ask for their permission to continue, in case that's what you're thinking.
    Not true, this is an urban myth. Recorded convos are perfectly admissible in court. 
  • googler
    googler Posts: 16,103 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    KievLover said:
    Urgh. I would put a letter through the owner's door telling them what the agent is up to ...

    .... and if the OP has misunderstood, won't this leave him open to being sued for slander? 
  • adhoc
    adhoc Posts: 32 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks for the advice all. Really helpful
    to get different perspectives. I don’t think I will pursue this sale even if it means losing out - technically within our upper limit - I do not this unscrupulous thieving EA benefiting at the expense of the seller. Its not like he asked for an extra payment, rather he wants the seller to think they are getting less while he pockets the difference. The house is not near where we currently are but we will I think try and warn the seller about this. Up to them if they believe us. As propertyhunter notes, there will be other buyers that will consider this option. 
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 351K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 244K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.9K Life & Family
  • 257.3K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.