Damage caused on viewing

[Lou573]

Our buyers have had 3 viewings now and requested a 4th this morning to bring another family member. Not one that will be living in the house. I really don’t think my home is an appropriate venue for a family outing, but figured they are just excited and so trying to be accommodating we tidied up and got out the way.

Have just returned to a smashed plate, that had obviously fallen from a kitchen cupboard somehow, god knows how as I was in and out the same cupboard this morning. Is it reasonable to go rooting round in someone else’s cupboards? I wouldn’t dream of it and am irrationally angry about this - no note left to apologise for damaging my property, or message from the estate agent who accompanied them on the visit.

I don’t like this particular agent anyway, he’s been presumptuous throughout with regard to my time and letting people in my home - telling me I’ll have to rearrange a lunch for example so he could do a viewing, and trying to persuade me to accept an unreasonably low offer at one point. I now want to email the agency and say that I don’t want to deal with this particular guy anymore, but am I overreacting??

No you are not. 2 viewings are usually ample. Re the plate, they must have been in the cupboards, as you say, and so rude not to apologise. Have you been on to the agent about it? I would be furious too.Have you exchanged? I would certainly not allow any more viewings if you haven't .
Your agent is employed by you, not vice versa. Don't be browbeaten by him. If you don't have any confidence in him, yes, tell the agency that and ask for someone else.

Oh, and if they come round to measure up after exchange, stay in and supervise them!

Three viewings is quite unusual but not unheard of but four is pretty excessive.
As far as the plate goes the affects should be apologising. Not only that they shouldn't be letting people rifle through your cupboards, that's just rude to be honest. I worked for an EA and never came across this kind of thing - I'd definitely be questioning it and saying no more viewings until after exchange - that's perfectly reasonable I think.

Were they having a viewing or making themselves lunch?

Where were the broken pieces of the plate?

Youre not over reacting at all.

We had a similar situatuon where a couple viewed and then brought literally 10 family members with them for a second viewing.

One of those 10 was a handyman uncle who unscrewed every socket and switch in the house pulling some paint work off with it.

They didn't buy the house and gave us no feedback. Twats.

I’d be furious, potentially you have had grubby hands all over your kitchen and the contents of all cupboards and drawers maybe even your wardrobes - everywhere ! Was the plate part of a service ? can you ask the agent for cost of replacement ?

Was the plate just left where it was fallen? I'd be significantly more angry about that than if it had been cleared up.

I think it's absolutely OK to say you want that agent to do no more viewings or deal with your sale at all, make it clear it's his general attitude and behaviour and this is the final straw.

I don't think it's unusual to open kitchen cupboards though, sometimes they are concealing boxing in or extractor ducting that means they aren't actually any good for storage, but rummaging around the contents is definitely not on.

I would complain to the agent about the plate but there’s no point saying you won’t work with a particular agent at this stage. But they have been unreasonable expecting you to change plans for their/viewers convenience!
However I disagree about the amount of viewings. I try and do at least two before putting in an offer, and would expect to do more, though I might wait until I exchanged. It is a very expensive purchase and I think people should put more time into viewing properties than they seem to!

If they are buying your house I'd suck it up 😳

Thanks all. Have calmed down a bit now! The plate was left on the side so had been picked up. It’s actually part of a vintage 1960s set, so not replaceable, but it’s less the loss of the plate and more the feeling of someone rummaging around in my cupboards that I mind. Just going to grit my teeth and count down the weeks until we move!

They should have left an apologetic note, that's really rude

It’s actually part of a vintage 1960s set, so not replaceable
Have you heard of Chinasearch? They may have a replacement piece.

Were they run rummaging or opening and shutting cupboards? I insist on that at every viewing after opening the cupboards in one kitchen and the doors falling off at the slightest touch!

Were they rummaging in the cupboards or was the plate left on the side?
I'd open cupboard doors when viewing a property. How else are you supposed to tell the depth, whether they have any space savers, carousels, etc?
I think it's fine to call the agent and request someone different. I'd also ask them who pays for the damage? They'll probably tell you to claim on house insurance but they might suggest a discount in their fee to cover the cost or they could claim against their insurance.

lillith I read it as it was in the cupboard, then the broken plate was put on the side.

Show us a pic of a plate OP, we might be able to find one online somewhere. The very least they can do is buy you another if it's possible.

4 viewings is a lot. I can understand 3 maybe, but as an absolute maximum.

Regarding the plate- is there any chance they were (rudely) going through cupboards, but the plate didn't actually fall out until after they left? I often hear pots and pans falling around in my cupboards if I haven't stacked them correctly. They shouldn't be in your cupboards, of course, but I can't imagine someone knowingly smashing someone's plate and just leaving without writing an apology note, at least.

You should bring it up as I think they would expect you to. Don't be thought of as a pushover at this stage of the process. Complain to the manager

They'll probably tell you to claim on house insurance but they might suggest a discount in their fee to cover the cost or they could claim against their insurance.

Hardly worth claiming on insurance for a plate. OP said it was from the 60s, not the Ming Dynasty.

I would give them the details and ask them to source a replacement if it is important to you.