Dodgy Estate Agents?

edited May 2006 in General chat
A couple of months ago, a house near us was for sale (unadvertised), at a local estate agents. I heard it was for sale from a neighbour.

It was a mortgage repossession with the Halifax.

The asking price was at least £100,000 below it's proper market value.

When I went in to the estate agents to ask them about it, I asked why it was so cheap. "Structural work. You won't get a mortgage on it. It has subsidence and needs a totally new roof. That's why it's so cheap".

Today.

A builder just knocked on our door to introduce himself and say he will be doing a couple of months building work on the house. According to him, it is "structurally sound", but "the roof needs a new cover and the bay needs a bit of pinning". He will be redecorating and putting in a new cloakroom.

He gave me the name of the person to contact if there were any problems.

Lo and Behold. It is the estate agent.

Five minutes later....the doorbell rings again.

"Sorry, this is the right number. He's the person to contact, not the estate agent...." and gives me the number of someone else.

BUT - it seems this is a dodgy deal.

What should I do?

Comments

  • edited 4:50AM
    Become an Estate Agent.
  • LizLiz
    edited 4:50AM
    Check if they are members of a trade organisation, and then report them. If you can be bothered (and if you never want to sell your flat using a local agent).
  • edited 4:50AM
    I'm not scared of them.

    Someone suggested reporting the Halifax to the repossessees - as they have a legal duty to get market price for the property.
  • LizLiz
    edited 4:50AM
    Oooh - good idea. Let us know how you get on!
  • edited 4:50AM
    I still think you're shooting the messenger here. Government should have better regulation of the property market, which in turn would hopefully weed out the cowboy element. Still, sticking it to a Building Society has its appeal. Or are they a Bank now?
  • edited 4:50AM
    Tell the story to your local newpaper. They probably know lots of other properties that have been sold like this. Then report them to property ombudsman
    http://www.britishcompanies.co.uk/estateagents.htm
    http://www.rics.org/AboutRICS/RICSProfessionalRegulationandConsumerProtection/RICSregulatoryreform/carsberg_report0405_public.html
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