Can you ask an Estate Agent to value a house you don't own?

[fruitstick]

We are renting at the moment. There is nothing on the market so are thinking (only as a plan B) of offering on this one. Landlord has told us to make him an offer.

Thing is I don't know how much it is worth. Landlord bought for £250k in 2007 but has added 2 storey extension, new kitchen etc so zoopla et al aren't helpful.

I would like an estate agent to value it but surely they won't if we don't own it iyswim.

[wobbegong]

Only if you are a bit naughty and don't tell them that you don't own it.

Estate agents have never asked to see proof that I owned a property before they valued it for me. Make sure you ask three or four as they are likely to give different estimates.

[HerHonesty]

only prob with not telling them that you dont own it is that EA's usually over value in order to get your business.

is their something similar that you know has sold that you could find out the sale price for or do you have an inkling? it sounds like he's spent at least £20k.

[GoldenSnitch]

We lived in (and then bought) DH's Grandma's house when she went to live with MIL. When she died, she left it to MIL and we bought it from her. I had it valued by 3 different estate agents without once being asked who it belonged to.

[theyoungvisiter]

I've never been asked whenever I've sold a house, but in practice estate agents get to know very quickly which houses are owner occupied and which are rented, so they may possibly be aware you are renters in which case they might ask the question, and you would have to be prepared to lie or say that your landlord had asked you to organise this.

Agree with the others that you will need to get at least 3 valuations, and then take off a few K for their natural optimism, as they are telling you what you should ASK for the property, not what you will definitely GET, iyswim.