Taking house off the market with no offers and 2 viewings

Rossthegolfer

Hello all, long story short my house has been on the market with this estate agency since July 2024. We have had 2 viewings and no offers. We have decided to stay put for another 2 years. Unfortunately they are saying there is a £120 withdrawal fee to take it off the market. It does state it on the additional fees tab on the paperwork which at the time they didn’t tell me and I didn’t see. My own fault for not reading the small print. 

Just wondering if anyone knows if I can do anything here as they are not willing to take it off the market until this is paid and they have said if I don’t pay im
breaking the law as it’s a legal document. 

Thanks 

lincroft1710

The only "law" you would be breaking is contract law which is civil not criminal. You may or may not owe the EA £120, it will depend on the exact words of the contract and whether or not their terms and conditions are deemed fair and reasonable

Mark_d

The EA will have incurred costs in putting your house up for sale.  They will have collected information, taken photos, produced the advert, conducted the two viewings, and paid Rightmove to advertise your property on their website.  You can see why they charge a fee.

Rather than taking your property off the market...there must be some price point at which you'd be happy to sell, so why not review the asking price?  I think I'd struggle to sell my property now for what I think it's worth...but If someone wants to pay 10% more than what it's worth, I'd agree to moving house tomorrow!

Albermarle

If you do not want to pay the £120, just leave it on the market, until the contract with the EA runs out.
You are not obliged to accept any offers from any prospective buyers that may appear.

lisyloo

Just keep it on the market. 
It's a bit dumb on their part as they'll now spend more.

Sapindus

But if you keep it on the market and then they find a buyer... is there a "ready willing and able buyer" clause in the contract as well?

I think I would be inclined to pay the £120.  Did they give you any explanation as to why they only managed to find two viewings?

gwynlas

How long was your contract?
Are they are a standad High St agency who usually just require notice
Two viewings in six months appears very poor.
If  need to pay them then so be it but make them aware that when you choose to sell it will not be with them/
Read advice on here about preparing for sale and choosing an agent

NameUnavailable

Leave it on the market but tell them you want to increase the asking price to £X (a figure that you'd bite anyone's hand off for). If someone comes along and offers that then happy days!

ReadySteadyPop

Review the asking price as mentioned and it might sell?

eddddy

Some estate agents charge withdrawal fees, others don't.

If the withdrawal fee was clearly explained in the contract that you were given to read, you don't really have a case for refusing to pay it.

If you think info about the withdrawal fee was 'hidden' or misleading or whatever - and so a reasonable person wouldn't have realised there was a withdrawal fee - then maybe you have a case for challenging it.


FWIW, I would always ask estate agents about withdrawal fees very early in any contractual discussions.

FlorayG

I think £120 is a reasonable fee for the work involved in marketing. If they didn't market it well they still took photographs and advertised it. I would just pay it