Can the estate agent do this?

[Estateagentquestion]

We sold our house through an agent a couple of weeks ago. We told them we didn't want a for sale board, then when we accepted the offer they phoned to check we didn't want a sold board, all good. The main reason for this was not wanting the whole road knowing about our move and having a nose at our house on Rightmove!

Yesterday dh saw someone from along the road who said he knew we were moving as he'd had a flyer through the door with a picture of our house advertising that the agent has sold in our area. He gave us his copy of the flyer which is addressed to the homeowner at x address.

We are really annoyed that the whole road had received these and were wondering if they can use our photo for advertising like this? We can't see anything in our contract that mentions it.

I would imagine that they can do this. Presumably you allowed them to take photos of your house so it's not like it's a copyright issue, and as they did sell the house then it's not mis-selling.

TBH so many people have Rightmove alerts for their street that those nosey enough to have looked if there had been a sign up, would probably know anyway.

I guess so 500, just think it's a bit off that they didn't check we'd be ok with it!

Does anyone else know anything about this?

I would think it is covered in your contract? Did you read it all?

Theres a small bit in the contract about copyright.
It says that "all materials produced for the marketing purposes of your property are for use by x agent. We would ask that you seek our consent if the marketing materials are to be used by other parties"

This happened to my parents in law. It will be in the contract. Estate agents are money grabbing b

They have sold the house Mary.

I too think it's a cheek, and would probably send them an email saying that as they're using your house to advertise themselves, you expect to see an appropriate reduction on their fee.

This happened to me. They used the pictures of the inside of my house and circulated them post sale. Not for my benefit...for theirs.

I personally hate selling and hate having strangers enter my house. Having viewed many houses with estate agents who show no respect for the owner I have a very dim view of agents. They are paid a huge sum and disrespect the person who pays them

Thanks for the replies.

It's not for marketing our house though mary, it's advertising themselves.

Agreed flissity, I already had a low opinion of EA's and this has reinforced that!

A reduction of their fee would be great aj we're going to speak to the branch manager but he's off until the end of the week. I'll let you know how we get on.

Circulating pictures of the inside of your house is even worse front. Our picture is the front of our house including the door number. We're just put out that we got no say in this.

I am sure all you neighbours have seen your house on Rightmove anyway, you have sold now so it won't be yours for long. Focus on the new house.