Do we still have to pay estate agents fees?

LeanneJustinMya

Hello

Just a question about estate agents fees.

We currently have our house on the market with 2 estate agents.

My dad came home from work yesterday and said someone at his work might be interested in buying our house.

My question is if we sell the house to the person at my dads work, do we still have to pay our estate agents fees?

Thanks

mumofjusttwo

Of what I remember then you would if you are still within contract with the estate agents as they can say that the person knew your house was for sale due to boards up advertising etc.


I know that my sister did buy a property privately after the estate agent 8 week contract had expired.

Mutton_Geoff

No you won't, but with the proviso above, just double check that the friend hasn't already registered with those agents else you will be on very sticky ground. It's worth a good read of the contracts now, it will be mentioned how their fee becomes liable. If he's not been registered and not known to them - go ahead, the agents are not entitled to their %.

jimc_2

You need to look at this thread. It all comes down to the EAs terms and conditions. See especially the 'sneaky clause' I refer to that some agents are trying to use in a 'sole agency' agreement to make it anything but.

Instructions to sell are getting harder to get and Agents want to hang on to any commissions they can. I had a discussion with a government department involved in this and they commented that they had seen a lot more "but it wasn't a private sale because they obviously saw our 'for sale' board" claims for commission lately.

Just read the Estate Agents T&Cs and be careful how you tell them about the sale.