Estate Agent not allowing me enough time to measure up

sheramber

If the EA had helped you  it would have saved time. 

Jude57

faerielight said:

it's sensible advice not to buy anything until exchange...it's a good idea to send someone else to measure when ive exchanged.. i think the estate agent got annoyed because i was slow and kept dropping the tape measure. . I also got dizzy at one point and sat briefly on the bed to steady myself and she got really annoyed that the bedcover got rumpled. 

It sounds as though you didn't use your wheelchair while you were in the property. I'd seriously recommend that you do try it out on your next visit because, as you know, it's not as simple as just being able to wheel through a doorway, there's also making sure there's enough room to manoeuvre in the hallway, kitchen and bathroom while using your chair. The bare measurements of doorways won't give you that '3D' reality that's so important to people who use a chair and as you're spending a huge amount of money to buy the house, it's vital that it meets your needs internally AND externally.

Section62

HillStreetBlues said:

It sounds like the EA is breaking the Equality Act. Because of your disability you want to know you can get around the property in your wheelchair with your furniture in place, a problem an non-disabled person won't have. The EA needs to make a reasonable adjustment for this, and giving you extra time would be that adjustment.  

^This.  The EA is providing a service.  Agreeing to extra time when making the appointment, then not giving it when arriving at the house has to be reasonable grounds for complaint.

Might be better to leave the complaint until after exchange though, so the EA can't get revenge by mucking up the sale.

HelpfulLittleHelper

If it's empty, why would they limit the time anyway? Not like you're inconveniencing anyone except the EA for their time, but they are getting a hefty chunk of money for the sale so i'd insist on getting all the time you need and without it you will not proceed.

Hoenir

HelpfulLittleHelper said:

If it's empty, why would they limit the time anyway? Not like you're inconveniencing anyone except the EA for their time, but they are getting a hefty chunk of money for the sale so i'd insist on getting all the time you need and without it you will not proceed.

Shouldn't the vendors be the ones giving up their time? EA's have performed their initial role for which they are being remunerated. Not as if they haven't other productive things to do during their working day. 

Once exchange has taken place. The vendors may well be agreeable to the EA releasing the keys temporarily and allowing access. 

faerielight

yes, I dont want to rock the boat and make a complaint.. it will be ok.. i think its just that my furniture wont fit in the space wheni use my wheelchair.. it just means selling it and getting smaller furniture when i move.  I dont use it all the time, so i didnt even think to bring it tbh as i thought it would be too crowded in a small place with the estate agent there too..  i just brought my stick when i went there.. 

Hoenir

There's probably a free room planner app available. 

horsewithnoname

First time I bought I didn’t have any furniture so not required, second time I bought I went for a second view just to see if a few things would fit. The owners had no problem with me doing that, and my buyer can round 3 times because the first time his wife hadn’t been able to go and then his parents wanted to look at the house. I didn’t see a problem, it’s a big commitment. 

Slinky

Hoenir said:

HelpfulLittleHelper said:

If it's empty, why would they limit the time anyway? Not like you're inconveniencing anyone except the EA for their time, but they are getting a hefty chunk of money for the sale so i'd insist on getting all the time you need and without it you will not proceed.

Shouldn't the vendors be the ones giving up their time? EA's have performed their initial role for which they are being remunerated. Not as if they haven't other productive things to do during their working day. 

Once exchange has taken place. The vendors may well be agreeable to the EA releasing the keys temporarily and allowing access. 

The OP said it's a probate sale. The vendors could be anywhere.

OP if push comes to shove, make sure you have some newspapers and sellotape which you can stick on the conservatory windows as a temporary measure.

TroubledTarts

I take it it's the estate agents that don't have the time for you during the viewing?

Could you take a friend with you to speed up the measurements required? You could then split your time and 15mins is 30mins with two of you?