Do estate agents LIE about there being other offers to make you bid more?

31 replies

yammajamma · 07/07/2026 13:32

Anyone with actual experience of something uncovered as a lie? Is it allowed?

I always hear about cash buyers from London but not sure if it’s always true.

Do EAs play on how desperate you are for the property?

OP posts:

JohnofWessex · 08/07/2026 08:00

Estate and Letting agents need proper regulation.

Ireland has done it why cant the UK?

PollyBell · 08/07/2026 08:04

It wouldn't work for me i just offer what I think i dont care what other people offer, seems pointless playing games

Mildura · 08/07/2026 09:17

Row23 · 07/07/2026 15:17

I work in property sales and whilst there isn’t currently any legislation specifically for EA’s to follow, they do have to abide by the consumer rights act. Within this you can’t mislead a customer, so a good EA who didn’t want to risk losing their job would not lie and say there is an offer if there isn’t one.
I did some EA exams a while ago and whilst I cannot for the life of me remember all the legal stuff, I know it’s definitely not acceptable for them to mislead customers. If you bought a house at a higher price because they lied about there being other offers then you have legal ground to complain etc.

@Row23
There's plenty of legislation! Although enforcement is really poor.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1979/38 www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1979/38]]

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2007/17/contents

Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007

An Act to make provision for the establishment of the National Consumer Council and its functions; to make provision for the abolition of other consumer bodies; to make provision about the handling of consumer complaints by certain providers; to make p...

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2007/17/contents

3wouldbegood · 08/07/2026 11:32

Tortephant · 07/07/2026 13:48

I firmly believe you offer what you believe a property is worth and what you are happy to pay for it. Ignore the noise and any pressure. Agree with yourself what your offer is, or what your maximum offer is if you want the two stage approach, then be disciplined with yourself regarding that. You don't offer to out bid, you don't feel pressured to increase it, you stick with what you believe and if you don't get it, something more appropriate for you will come along.
I tend to 'heres my best and final offer' straight off, make that clear, justify why if it's less than its being advertised at if it is then walk away if they say no. Keep it clean, clear and with expectations set for myself and them. no games.

This is excellent advice.

desperatemum1234 · 08/07/2026 16:36

Absolutely they lie about this. It’s pathetic, you can see straight through them. We had a builder friend with us on a second viewing to see what work was possible, the estate agent started talking about having “other offers”, our friend laughed and said “yeah sure you do!”

KeepPumping · 11/07/2026 20:18

PollyBell · 08/07/2026 08:04

It wouldn't work for me i just offer what I think i dont care what other people offer, seems pointless playing games

Lots of properties don"t get any offers now, puts you in a much stronger position.

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