Estate agent complaints

w12ee3e

So I've just had to withdraw from a sale because the service/management cost of the property were massively understated. This hasn't just been inconvenient, it has meant I have lost the best part of a grand in fees/surveys/solicitors etc. If I were to complain, from the agents point of view they'll simply state that they were only relaying what the sellers told them. Do I have a leg to stand on?

movilogo

EAs usually get away with fine print that buyer's solicitor to verify everything. Frankly, I am surprised that you spent fees without checking the management fees first. I guess you were buying a leasehold property. 

If possible, buy freehold only.

You can report EAs to authority who regulates them.

w12ee3e

movilogo said:

EAs usually get away with fine print that buyer's solicitor to verify everything. Frankly, I am surprised that you spent fees without checking the management fees first. I guess you were buying a leasehold property. 

If possible, buy freehold only.

You can report EAs to authority who regulates them.

I did check what the management fee was, and I was told them. What more was I supposed to do?

eddddy

w12ee3e said:

So I've just had to withdraw from a sale because the service/management cost of the property were massively understated. This hasn't just been inconvenient, it has meant I have lost the best part of a grand in fees/surveys/solicitors etc. If I were to complain, from the agents point of view they'll simply state that they were only relaying what the sellers told them. Do I have a leg to stand on?

Was it the estate agent who understated the service charges?  

The estate agent has a duty to make reasonable efforts to find out what the service charge is, and to tell prospective buyers.

So it really depends how the 'error' came about. For example, is it 'reasonable' for the EA to just ask the seller and accept their reply, or should the EA ask to see some evidence.


Is the EA a member of the Property Ombudsman Scheme? (Most EAs are)

If so, you can try a complaint to the Property Ombudsman. If the Ombudsman decides that the EA didn't make reasonable efforts to find out the true service charge, the Ombudsman can order the EA to compensate you for your losses.

See: https://selfserve.tpos.co.uk/




Edit to add...

And EAs can't use fine print disclaimers to try to avoid their responsibilities.