Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Estate agent broke Covid agreement..wwyd?

105 replies

Idontwantarow · 04/06/2021 19:30

I won’t name the estate agents yet...
The agreement we have is that anytime anyone is in the property the agent will be there. Also, that if anything needs to be touched, only the agent will do and will be wearing gloves.
Today I came home and the place was a complete tip. The buyers had been over, the agent had let them in and then left them at the property.
The front door was unlocked, there were leaves and grass all over the floor, lots of furniture had been moved, the floor in one room was wet, there was a towel on the floor in the bathroom, clothes had been moved around and most distressingly my bed was not how I left it.
The estate agent admitted they were left alone immediately and apologised. I have sent an email with photos attached. I’m really uneasy they were left here alone. I’m in the process of checking everything is here (if it’s not I am uninsured as they didn’t break in to the property... so fingers crossed, I’m sure they didn’t take anything) but also because of Covid, I don’t know how long they were here, who was here or what they touched......
cleaning everything!!

OP posts:
Snapespeare · 04/06/2021 20:59

And a full clean from a Covid secure cleaning company.

FaceAcher · 04/06/2021 21:02

@Snapespeare

I'd suggest that the EA buys you a new bed and bedding and towels as a minimum of a goodwill gesture.
Absolutely this.
flippertygibbit · 04/06/2021 21:24

I'd be furious with the EA, covid or not!

Ostara212 · 04/06/2021 21:28

Never mind Covid

You need to get the keys back

Are you sure it was the buyers who did this? Maybe someone from the agent took the keys and...sorry...used your home for a shag?

GappyValley · 04/06/2021 21:28

Wet floor and moved towels - could they have been testing the shower pressure?
I always do that when looking at houses

The rest sounds a bit odd

ComDummings · 04/06/2021 21:30

@Ostara212

Never mind Covid

You need to get the keys back

Are you sure it was the buyers who did this? Maybe someone from the agent took the keys and...sorry...used your home for a shag?

This is what I thought ^
cathcath2 · 04/06/2021 21:31

Not acceptable.

I would want a full explanation. They have failed to follow the code of practice for estate agents.

www.tradingstandards.uk/media/documents/commercial/codes-of-practice/tpoe27-8_code_of_practice_for_residential_estate_agents_a5_-_effective_1_june_2019.pdf

LIZS · 04/06/2021 21:33

That is basic disrespect and disregard for your home and property. The buyer should not be unaccompanied, covid or not, and the property left secure and as was. Complain to agency and any body they claim affiliation to.

lljkk · 04/06/2021 21:40

I don't understand how this fits into OP's story of the prospective buyers who came for viewing & trashed her house today.

Estate agent broke Covid agreement..wwyd?
Ostara212 · 04/06/2021 21:50

@lljkk

I don't understand how this fits into OP's story of the prospective buyers who came for viewing & trashed her house today.
I think OP means the EA is claiming the buyers were on a follow up visit, after making the offer.

I really would be surprised if the buyer did this.

VodselForDinner · 04/06/2021 21:55

@lljkk

I don't understand how this fits into OP's story of the prospective buyers who came for viewing & trashed her house today.
If you click the three little dots under a post, you’ll find there’s a “quote” option. Much easier than taking a screenshot, cropping it, and attaching it to a post.

Also, I think the OP means that she’s agreed a sale with these people a while ago and they were in the house today for a specific reason (measuring for furniture etc). It’s not still on the market.

pizzaobsessed · 04/06/2021 22:07

I'll be honest, the first thing that came to mind was that it was the estate agent using your bed with viewers as a cover story! Confused

fucksat50 · 04/06/2021 22:28

The thing to do to hit the message home is to dis-instruct them and write to the branch manager and owner to explain your reasons. Do not go quietly into the night.

BlueSurfer · 04/06/2021 22:34

What buyers get into bed and have a shower? Definitely more to it.

If anything has been stolen, I would imagine you can claim through the Estate Agents’ insurance.

Jessbow · 04/06/2021 22:41

I'd be telling the EA that bed & Linens need replacing. 0.5% of their commission should cover it

UpSlyDown · 04/06/2021 22:42

This is bizarre. Wet towels on the floor?! What do people do when they’re viewing houses?!

Ostara212 · 04/06/2021 22:44

@UpSlyDown

This is bizarre. Wet towels on the floor?! What do people do when they’re viewing houses?!
Well obviously they weren't viewing.

I think the unlocked door suggests they thought they heard you approaching.

Check cash and small jewellery items are there.

Could you continue the sale privately?

Hellocatshome · 04/06/2021 22:53

Do you have any contact info for the buyers? I would ask them if they had been to the property today at least then you will know if it was them or the agent shagging in your bed.

Zilla1 · 04/06/2021 23:07

As a PP said, first of all try and confirm whether the buyers did attend or whether the EA let their mates in to 'shoot an adult film'.

Then your starting position shouldn't be to try and sack the agent, rather appropriate compensation which would be more than a new bed, bedding and towels. I think a social media name and shame threat to the EA owner would be legitimate.

Finally, check all your jewellery and valuables are present if non-buyers were left alone.

CovidCorvid · 05/06/2021 00:05

I’d be furious, have you spoken just to the agent or to their boss yet? I’d also be suspicious it was the agents friends not the buyers. Which room had a wet floor? Was it the bathroom?

Motorina · 05/06/2021 04:26

I know it’s not okay, but wet shower doesn’t necessarily mean sex-fest. If I were at second or third viewing stage I would be turning on taps to check the shower worked and the bath was connected to the mains.

I may be paranoid, having once bought a house with a fitted kitchen, and only found out after moving in that the dishwasher was not only not connected, but was several yards away from the water supply and impossible to plumb in without ripping out cupboards. So I would want to check the shower worked before I handed over my deposit.

The bill state agent has behaved appallingly. But that doesn’t mean there’s been an orgy.

Motorina · 05/06/2021 04:29

Estate not bill state. Bloody autocorrect! You don’t want to know what it changed ‘orgy’ to!

BlueDucky · 05/06/2021 06:21

Can the estate agents pay for a deep clean for you?

Solasum · 05/06/2021 06:29

Do you live alone? Are you quite sure your own partner couldn’t have been back to the house unexpectedly?

bert3400 · 05/06/2021 06:31

This is totally bizarre. I would be contacting everyone involved and finding out exactly what had been going on. Remember OP, it's a seller's market so I'm sure if you pulled out you'd still get a great price and sale

Swipe left for the next trending thread