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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed with estate agent after this viewing?

75 replies

ToilTrouble · 27/08/2023 18:40

I'm trying to sell my flat at the moment and I'm not very happy with the estate agent.

When I chose him, he told me he had lots of potential buyers in the area but only 2 people have booked a viewing after several weeks of being on the market.

The first viewing was today and I did a lot of tidying and styling in the flat to prepare. When I came back, the flat was definitely not as I left it.

Things I noticed:

  • Some marks in the toilet bowl, the toilet paper was moved and the neatly folded towel was left messily folded.
  • My bedcovers were all crumpled and pillows moved.
  • I left a ceramic tray with candles on the sofa table to look homely. The tray had been moved and the table now has several scratches on it.
  • The hallway had black marks on the walls (I've got rid of them with water).
  • The bedroom wardrobe doors and drawers were left open.

He said the viewing would be for a couple with kids which could explain the hallway marks and bedclothes... although do people really let their kids jump on beds during viewings? But the worst one is the toilet. I suspect someone has used it and I'm not sure if it was the agent or the people viewing.

I know none of this is serious, permeant damage, which I'm grateful for. But AIBU to be a bit annoyed about how the flat was left after the viewing?

OP posts:
milleniaaal · 27/08/2023 21:57

when people go on viewings they normally check things, water pressure, lights etc. but in your case erm. that's awful. you don't want even temporary issues from a viewing, like dirt and crap for YOU to clean up. that's also gross and unhygienic. the estate agent needs to be held responsible for the house if they're doing viewings without you present. take pictures of everything? even if not, I'd write a complaint. from now on, you should take pics before and after viewings - you can complain and probably get compensation from the PRS for estate agents who wrong you.

Gladitscloudytoday · 27/08/2023 21:58

LindorDoubleChoc · 27/08/2023 20:51

Such a stupid comment.

Show quote history

Rude

HowToSaveAWife · 27/08/2023 21:59

Wardrobes open, scratched table, marks on walls and bed messed up - totally unacceptable. The loo is unsavory but...shit happens.

I would contact EA and explain if they are unprepared to ensure the property is the same at the end of a viewing as it was at the beginning, they can forget about holding the listing. And absolutely no children in future.

Threenow · 27/08/2023 21:59

Gladitscloudytoday · 27/08/2023 19:22

Estate agents are scum of the earth. They’ll say anything to get you to sign up with them.

Oh do grow up.

ThreeLittleDots · 27/08/2023 22:01

Estate agents always claim to be able to get you lots of interest, all bollocks.

You may as well sell it yourself going via a free portal such as Strike or similar if you want to do your own viewings.

Most people find houses via Rightmove so you just need it online. There are no magical lists of people EAs have access to.

Threenow · 27/08/2023 22:02

It really wouldn't have bothered me. There wasn't any actual damage, and yes it isn't ideal but it's hardly worth getting annoyed about.

PinkPlantCase · 27/08/2023 22:09

Our house was on the market for around 4 months in the autumn after Liz Truss crashed the markets.

We had viewings most weeks but never have anything like this!! I really would complain to agent.

We eventually sold to people we showed round ourselves. If we need to sell again I’d prefer to do them myself than have the EA do them.

Nellieinthebarn · 27/08/2023 22:11

In my experience people do indeed let their kids behave appallingly. I had children chase my elderly cat, pull up plants, jump on sofas and crawl behind furniture. This wasn't just one family with awful children, it was different families.

Changethetoner · 27/08/2023 22:13

It is annoying. I disagree it is not worth being bothered about this. Considering your house is likely the most expensive asset you will ever own, it is most definitely a big deal if someone has behaved recklessly in it, and caused damage.
And you don't know when the damage (and dirtying of bathroom) occurred, so it is possible that subsequent viewers saw your property in a poorer state than you left it in.
PP who claim it isn't a big deal, obviously has loads of money to spare, and is not stressed about making a sale any time soon.

tothelefttotheleft · 27/08/2023 22:14

Threenow · 27/08/2023 22:02

It really wouldn't have bothered me. There wasn't any actual damage, and yes it isn't ideal but it's hardly worth getting annoyed about.

Did the scratched table just mend itself?

SM4713 · 27/08/2023 22:19

I'm clearly the only one that thinks the EA used your home as a shag pad! 😝

Womencanlift · 27/08/2023 22:22

Did you take pictures of the marks on the wall and the damage to your table? I would be sending them on to the EA. As others have said best to do viewings yourself, people are less likely to let their kids run around when the actual owner is there. And obviously if it is the EA using it for some afternoon delight then your home won’t be an option for them if you insist on being there

stardust777 · 27/08/2023 22:22

I find the viewers behaviour really odd! Surely, you'd want to leave someone's home in the condition you found it in. Might be worth emailing the EA re. what happened and asking if the EA could make sure the property is left as found (even if that means using the toilet brush).

I'm a prospective FTB and asked the EA at one property this week if it would be best to remove our shoes (it had been raining and there was no doormat. I didn't want to leave marks on the pristine carpet). Thought he should have been the one to mention it!

Blanketpolicy · 27/08/2023 22:27

One of the kids needed the loo and possibly also jumped on the bed before they could stop them or opened the doors, no big deal or harm done 🤷🏻‍♀️

The table is concerning but difficult to prove and it would be your word against theirs they did it.

Not sure there is much you can do other than be present at viewings. I have always been in when I've had viewers and owners have and been in when I viewed.

Womencanlift · 27/08/2023 22:38

One of the kids needed the loo and possibly also jumped on the bed before they could stop them or opened the doors, no big deal or harm done 🤷🏻‍♀️

Surely if you were the parent of that child you would have manners to clean the toilet and sort the bed? Why should the OP come back to sort out the mess a random kid made?

And if the parent was entitled enough to not sort their kids mess, then the EA should have done it if they wanted their commission fee after all. As OP could quite easily sack them if she comes back to a messy house and her furniture damaged

JudgeRudy · 27/08/2023 22:44

This is one of the reasons I'd be at home during the viewings.

ButterCrackers · 27/08/2023 22:46

Take some photos of the damage and send them to the estate agent asking for them to pay the cost of repairs. Tell the estate agent about the mess and dirt and again send them the cost of cleaning. It’s completely unacceptable to leave the place in a mess and dirty. What if there was a viewing after these people? Find another estate agent.

Bellyblueboy · 27/08/2023 22:47

OP get cameras!

the worst I had was coming one after a couple with a little girl viewed my house. My cat was asleep on my bed - with a blanket tucked around her and the blinds and curtains closed🥰😂.

they didn’t but the house but I think they were my cats favourite viewers

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 27/08/2023 23:00

TarantinoIsAMisogynist · 27/08/2023 18:45

People do use the loo when they view houses. Even if they don't need to, they will pretend to in order to test the water pressure when they flush.

Yup I did use the loo when driving a long way to view houses when pregnant - would have been very upset if estate agent said no

Daynightx · 27/08/2023 23:12

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

fizzypop100 · 27/08/2023 23:17

ToilTrouble · 27/08/2023 18:40

I'm trying to sell my flat at the moment and I'm not very happy with the estate agent.

When I chose him, he told me he had lots of potential buyers in the area but only 2 people have booked a viewing after several weeks of being on the market.

The first viewing was today and I did a lot of tidying and styling in the flat to prepare. When I came back, the flat was definitely not as I left it.

Things I noticed:

  • Some marks in the toilet bowl, the toilet paper was moved and the neatly folded towel was left messily folded.
  • My bedcovers were all crumpled and pillows moved.
  • I left a ceramic tray with candles on the sofa table to look homely. The tray had been moved and the table now has several scratches on it.
  • The hallway had black marks on the walls (I've got rid of them with water).
  • The bedroom wardrobe doors and drawers were left open.

He said the viewing would be for a couple with kids which could explain the hallway marks and bedclothes... although do people really let their kids jump on beds during viewings? But the worst one is the toilet. I suspect someone has used it and I'm not sure if it was the agent or the people viewing.

I know none of this is serious, permeant damage, which I'm grateful for. But AIBU to be a bit annoyed about how the flat was left after the viewing?

We just sacked an estate agent for letting someone use the toilet. Not once but 3 times. The house is empty and has to have specialist insurance. A requirement of the insurance is that the water has to be turned off. The agent knew this but allowed the toilet to be used. So we kept finding stinking poo that had been there a week. Disgusting

Restinggoddess · 27/08/2023 23:34

I think the EA used it for a tryst.
I would be asking a lot of questions- they get a lot of money from your sale

For those of you who are unconcerned about kids jumping on the beds and using the loo ……. The viewers ( if there were any) are visiting someone’s home. It’s not a play pen. Control your kids and go to the loo before you go. There is an arrogance and lack of respect in people who think this is ok. Should not touch something belong to someone else, no need to open wardrobes, use the loo etc

Kick up a stink OP - E A are supposed to work on your behalf

Daynightx · 27/08/2023 23:46

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines - previously banned poster.

SomeCatFromJapan · 27/08/2023 23:46

@fizzypop100 I read your first sentence and thought that's a bit harsh, and then I read the rest. Bloody hell. What on earth could he have been thinking?!

ReliantRobyn · 27/08/2023 23:51

Twiglets1 · 27/08/2023 19:32

I've used the loo on a viewing before but "marks in the toilet bowl" - that's disturbing. A quick wee would not leave a mark in the toilet bowl which makes you wonder.

Show quote history

I think you mean they did a wee jobbie in there. Dropped the kids off at the pool.