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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be absolutely fuming? (Dodgy estate agent)

39 replies

CuthbertDibble · 16/07/2013 17:54

I am trying to sell my flat, I have instructed an agent on sole agency terms and signed a contract. The agent has keys for viewings as the flat is not used very often at the moment.

The concierge of the building also has a set of keys, all the apartment front doors and common areas are being painted so they need keys for the decorators.

There is a man that lives in the building who runs his own estate agency business. He called me the other day trying to encourage me to use him instead of the agent I have already appointed. I said no, sorry, have already signed up with someone else.

I found out today that he has somehow managed to get the keys from concierge and taken someone for a viewing of my flat.

I have been spitting feathers over this and already gone ballistic at concierge over the phone. What else can I do?

OP posts:
GetStuffezd · 16/07/2013 17:56

What??? That's disgraceful! Sorry for being unhelpful but I am shocked that's happened.

LadyBryan · 16/07/2013 17:57

That's absolutely appalling both on the part of the concierge and the dodgy estate agent

thegreylady · 16/07/2013 17:58

If you get an offer from his viewer make sure they are told to deal with your estate agent only and tell your estate agent what has happened.

Mintyy · 16/07/2013 18:00

Police? He's possibly gained access to your flat by deception - he might have persuaded the concierge that he was your bona fide agent?

Officershitty · 16/07/2013 18:02

I'm sure he would have just as much power as I would if I nicked the keys from under the concierge desk and showed some people round myself.
If you have signed a contract with another agent then he, in my opinion, has no power as you have not contracted him and therefore has no paperwork with your signature on it.
If those people decided to buy the place he might try it on by writing to you to try and get you to sign up.
I'm afraid there are good estate agents and bad ones, just like any business.
When we were selling our place we had 3 agents round, went for the small family business. The other estate agent (one of a large chain) got very aggressive and were still calling and emailing us even after we had the property on for a year and up to and even when it was under offer.

Original poster
CuthbertDibble · 16/07/2013 18:03

My agent already knows... he called me to tell me.

Apparently the woman that viewed it called them to ask if the other flat they've got on their books in that block had river views. He said not that one but he did have one with river views and she said she'd already seen it!

OP posts:
BramblyHedge · 16/07/2013 18:12

Has he taken photos or anything like that?

BramblyHedge · 16/07/2013 18:13

I would call the police actually

Original poster
CuthbertDibble · 16/07/2013 18:23

No photos as far as I'm aware.

When he called me he was trying to encourage me to cut my agent out and go behind his back. He's really arrogant and insists on referring to himself by his (overseas royal) title. He also kept insisting that I 'must talk to my husband about this'.

I actually feel a bit sorry for the concierge, the bloke concerned probably convinced him that he was acting on my behalf.

He lives in one of the penthouses in the building, he controls a number of other apartments in the building, he is very good friends with the freeholder. Poor old concierge would have been in fear of losing his job. Although that doesn't excuse giving out keys without contacting me.

OP posts:
Fairenuff · 16/07/2013 18:30

Call the police! He entered the premises without permission.

And if he said he was representing you, that's fraud.

staffie99 · 16/07/2013 18:32

Police matter.

staffie99 · 16/07/2013 18:32

Having said that, they'll probably fob you off and do nothing.

Original poster
CuthbertDibble · 16/07/2013 18:37

I thought about contacting the police and I may have mentioned that to the concierge when I was having a meltdown but I don't have any absolute proof.

Concierge will probably deny it as will 'Prince estate agent man'. Unless I can find out who viewed it, I can't prove that they went in there.

OP posts:
Wibblypiglikesbananas · 16/07/2013 18:39

Contact the police, no question! What's to stop him doing this again?

Fairenuff · 16/07/2013 18:50

The police can question the concierge. If he denies it he will implicate himself.

Shlurpbop · 16/07/2013 18:57

Definately what fairenuff said - get the police involved and get them to question the concierge for the exact details. I'm shocked! How bloody dare he go into your flat without your permission!

TimeofChange · 16/07/2013 18:59

Does your estate agent have the contact details of the woman who viewed it?

Jengnr · 16/07/2013 19:03

Police! Police ! Police!

Original poster
CuthbertDibble · 16/07/2013 19:04

I'll ask the agent, but I don't think he got details of who viewed. Luckily, I think they may have previous experience of 'Prince', so they're not making the assumption that I'm trying to do the dirty on them.

OP posts:
Twirlyhot · 16/07/2013 19:06

Yes to police. Also take the keys off the concierge as they can't be trusted to check who they're giving themes and report them to the management agent.

Twirlyhot · 16/07/2013 19:07

Them to

quoteunquote · 16/07/2013 19:10

www.tpos.co.uk/make_complaint_sales.htm

Officershitty · 16/07/2013 19:29

I would also add that i would be dubious about selling to this woman should she make an offer. The 'prince' might try and argue that he introduced her to the property and there is a (albeit slim) chance that both he and your proper agent might both ask for commission.
I'm sure this would not stand up in court but I would err on the side of caution.
I am no expert so cannot comment on how the law stands though.

MaggieMaggieMaggieMcGill · 16/07/2013 19:34

Stealth boasting, much?

quoteunquote · 16/07/2013 19:36

Stealth boasting, much?

about what? selling a flat? don't get it.

How did you find out?

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