Estate agent marketing 3 bed as 4 bed

[CamdenTownie]

Hi everyone,

We've had an offer accepted on a property and as far as we were aware up until today it had 4 official bedrooms, including a loft conversion.

The estate agent has just called and said that when the survey takes place it will only be classed as a 3 bed as the loft doesn't have building regs.

I don't know what to do, I certainly wouldn't pay £475000 for a 3 bed property, and I won't have any cash left after the purchase to get it passed, I do love the house but obviously I'll only be able to sell it on as a 3 bed.

I'm both cross and upset, I feel I've been misled as well f it was marketed as a 3 bed I wouldn't have even considered it. I'm not even sure if it would be safe for one of the children to use as a bedroom.

My brother has suggested making an offer now based on the fact that it is officially a 3 bed, I don't even know what that would be?

It's going to be a problem if we pull out as we have a buyer in place and I don't want to lose them.

Anyone have any advice?

Thanks

@r8tertai yes i also noticed that, they have tied themselves up in knots here!

I also have too much time on my hands and have found the listing. It’s still listed as a 4-bed on Zoopla if you want to get a screenshot, OP.

I think I’ve missed something, though. How did @Mildura work out that the vendor was an architect?

Hi again!

Firstly I'd like to say thanks for the support, I can be a bit of a worrier and take things the wrong way, buts it good to hear that others think the email was particularly courteous.

I'm not great with things like complaining, and don't like to cause myself unnecessary stress, but I'm sure that I need to do it this time. I'm just trying to work out where to start and how to word it so it gets all my points across regarding the misrepresentation ect.

I also will never deal with that agent again, even if my dream home came on the market with them.

How did @Mildura work out that the vendor was an architect?

Someone posted the actual rightmove ad, which then made it possible to work out the exact address.

Then I thought I'd take a look at the planning history on the local authority website to see if any of the other alterations had consent (they did), and one of the documents stored on the planning history was a letter written to the planning department by the the current owner, signing off as [owners name] RIBA - (Royal Institute of British Architects).

A Google search of the owners name then showed he runs an architectural and interior design company.

I was bored yesterday!

Wow - detective Mildura ! I'm amazed you can find out so much back information, i suppose its just knowing what to look for (and having some time !!)

Blimey is Lauren's 'Justin' a polished version of Peekaboo's 'My Maaaarrrcckk'

That email from the EA is so bloody rude! Are you buying as a lone woman, by any chance?

I'd complain too. The EA is obnoxious and appears to be clearly trying to mislead people with the advert.

He knows it's not a four bed but is still marketing it as one... it doesn't get more clear cut than that

Good luck OP. If you complain I would 100% focus on the fact that you were mislead - the fact the EA is so obnoxious is a secondary issue.

Meh. The EA is obviously up themselves. If they've redone their ad for the property then they and the seller know why you've withdrawn your offer.
I wouldn't waste any more energy on them tbh. They'd be smarmy enough to say they were misled by their client.
Good luck finding somewhere better!

Curiously their Google reviews are extremely complimentary, almost without exception.