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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

HIBU - going behind agents back

23 replies

army2426 · 20/03/2022 14:45

Ok, so I've relocated and had an offer accepted on a house beginning of jan. I moved me and my kids at the lastest date I could ( a date which all members of the chain in my house sale were happy with ) thinking we'd be with family for a couple of weeks. Anyway, people in our chain ( top ) have now decided they want to tie in their own house purchase ( Which they agreed they wouldn't and we're moving out and breaking the chain ) so they're now saying it could be May time which I just cannot do I've already been here over a month ...

Anyway, another house ( same agents ) has come on the market and I really like it I told the agents I'd like to view and they agreed. My solicitor said I could possibly complete in a couple of weeks as I am cash, have all my paperwork in order and this house is no chain and unoccupied.

I offered full asking a few days ago and agents have come back and said the vendor had declined the offer ??

Anyway, I popped a note through the door as I was suspicious of this and they text me today saying they had no received the offer and had had some viewings yesterday.

They are going to speak to the agents tomorrow about it. Now, I know the agents are in the wrong for not putting the offer forward but have I been unreasonable going behind their back?

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 20/03/2022 14:48

That's really bad. Why wouldn't they put in your offer?

WallaceinAnderland · 20/03/2022 14:51

That's terrible. Did they tell you the offer was declined in email? If so I would be taking this further.

redastherose · 20/03/2022 14:53

You were not unreasonable and the Estate Agent is actually obliged to put forward every offer received for a property. I'd be suspicious of their motives as to why they failed to put your offer forward, it's not unknown for Agents to cherry pick properties for their family members.

Whinge · 20/03/2022 14:53

How did you make the offer, and how did the agents communicate it was rejected?

stairgates · 20/03/2022 14:55

Thats terrible!

EinsteinaGogo · 20/03/2022 14:56

You were 100% right to go to the vendors directly.

Estate Agents are legally bound to inform their vendors of each and every offer 'promptly' and in writing.

Is the house you're currently buying through the same agents?

FinallyHere · 20/03/2022 15:00

Yeah. I'm glad you have sussed this.

It's not so unusual for EA's to try an wiggle out of padding on offers. Not smart.

Eightiesfan · 20/03/2022 15:09

I think it’s likely they don’t want the chain to collapse by you pulling out. Very shady, up good on you for checking, you should cut the EA out altogether and save on fees. I doubt they have grounds to complain or take legal action after their dodgy behaviour.

PyongyangKipperbang · 20/03/2022 15:12

The EA probably already have a buyer lined up, I have heard of several BTL landlords who get in with an EA to get first dibs on properties.

Fixyourself · 20/03/2022 15:16

Are the houses in the chain with the same EA? That’s probably the reason.

SheldonesqueTheBstard · 20/03/2022 15:19

You have not been unreasonable.

Agree with above that they are looking after their best interests. Not yours or the new seller.

Original poster
army2426 · 20/03/2022 15:22

Yes, so both houses are with the estate agents and the property I'm currently buying had been in the market for ages so my guess is, they don't want me to pull out of that sale. I'm livid - I was crying my eyes out on the phone to her the other day about my situation and knowing now they hadnt even put my offer forward!!!

OP posts:
billy1966 · 20/03/2022 15:26

So shady, but definitely not unheard of.

BertieQueen · 20/03/2022 15:50

Sounds like they don’t want you to pull out of the other house and knew they had other people viewing the 2nd property this weekend and would probably get a offer from one of those.

If you don’t get accepted on the 2nd house they I would continue to look around as like you have said you have been waiting to move and can not wait around for another few months.

Mummyoflittledragon · 20/03/2022 16:02

This is terrible and illegal. If they confirmed in writing your offer was rejected, the agent could be in trouble if you report them.

Which house do you prefer? Are the people you’re supposed to be buying from the top of the chain?

WineIsMyMainVice · 20/03/2022 16:15

If you out an offer in writing the agent is obliged to make that offer for you. We were advised this once and it massively helped.
I don’t think you’re in the wrong as you’ve caught out the agent as they’ve obviously not done their job properly.
Good luck

Totalwasteofpaper · 20/03/2022 17:06

Totally shady of the estate agents and good on you.
I'd have down the same....

ISeeTheLight · 20/03/2022 17:17

We're having something similar.
Viewed a house 3-4 weeks ago, loved it, told the agent we wanted 2nd viewing a couple of days later but I was away for work, came back and got covid and passed it on to DP and DD who are both still testing positive. Emailed agent a few times in last 2 weeks saying very interested, we can afford full asking price, etc. Then we're told on Thursday the property is "slipping away" by the estate agents CEO (his name is the name of the agency) and heavily pushing us towardsa different property. Whole story that they'd received an offer and vendor is considering and that they do not want more viewings. Someone from his team then called me and I got a slightly different story from her, also that the offer received is under asking. Sounds like they're pushing the vendor hard to accept and are refusing for us to do a 2nd viewing.

Now when we viewed the property the owner showed us round, lovely lady who's selling because ever husband has died and is moving to a smaller place they refurbished next door. She gave us her contact details in case we had questions, and obviously as she'll be living next door has a big stake in who buys her property.

Anyway, contacted her on Friday night, she was very pleased and happy to arrange a 2nd viewing next week when hopefully DP is testing negative.

Agent is super dodgy imo. I don't trust them AT ALL.

YANBU, I would definitely go behind agents back as they're not working in your best interest.

WallaceinAnderland · 20/03/2022 17:53

I would definitely go behind agents back as they're not working in your best interest.

The agents aren't working for OP, they are working for the vendors. It sounds like they have failed to pass on the offer to the vendors which is a serious breach of contract.

I hope OP comes back to their thread at some point to clarify whether the offer was in writing and also whether the offer rejection was in writing. If so I think they should report the agents to the NAEA.

RealBecca · 20/03/2022 17:57

I'd email the estate agent and ask directly when they made your offer and why it was declined.

I'd then reply to their made up answer that that wasnt your understanding, given you and the owner have discussed it seperately and they weren't notified of the offer, point out that they were obliged to and that clearly there has been a misunderstanding and what will they do to rectify it before you complain to ombudsman cc your mp.

EinsteinaGogo · 20/03/2022 17:59

@WallaceinAnderland

OP's offer doesn't have to be in writing, it can be verbal.

The estate agent can pass it on to the vendor verbally but also must follow up in writing.

Original poster
army2426 · 20/03/2022 21:01

They sent me the offer in writing. However, it was a slightly lower offer snd when they called me back to say they're declined I said, ok I'll pay the full asking and they just said 'they've decided they'd like to go ahead with the viewings Saturday so didn't matter what I offered. She then pushed me to make a decision on current house. and obviously had no choice but say I'll proceed but then told my solicitor I was no longer interfered which I said to him wasn't true, I hadn't said that

OP posts:
Prettynails · 20/03/2022 21:07

I’d go into the EA and meet with them and ask them to phone the vendor there and then watch them jump - I couldn’t and wouldn’t allow this agent to sell my house for me nasty buggers - have they lied about offers on your house as well ?

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