Estate agent wants a bung!
I’m in a slight state of shock. An estate agent at a small, independent chain indicated to me at a viewing that if I were to ‘scratch his back’, so to speak he would help me to secure the property I went to see.
The market is fiendishly competitive. I’m not sure how taboo this subject is. Do people have any views about this?
I feel pretty uncomfortable about it and am just considering offering the office direct and ignoring what I was told.
I doubt I’ll get the flat that way, but at least it would all be on the level!
Thanks
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Too Good to be True?
Member Since January 2011 - Comments: 12209 - Articles: 1408
10:43 AM, 22nd June 2015, About 11 years ago
The estate agent should be acting for the vendor.
If I were you I would take this up with the owner of the estate agency and consider reporting it to the redress scheme the agency belongs to.
.
Member Since July 2012 - Comments: 2 - Articles: 1
1:06 PM, 22nd June 2015, About 11 years ago
This is exactly what all reputable estate agents want NEVER to happen again. Please report them to the Ombudsman or whatever redress scheme they are signed up to as Mark mentioned.
This happened to a vendor who we were buying from the other day – very smart well know agency in a super smart part of London. When I mentioned it to someone I knew well in another office, they were so angry to hear that another office were doing this and tainting their agency’s name, that they insisted that it was reported to head office, the ombudsman and the agency’s CEO providing me with the full information to pass onto this vendor.
Please do NOT fall into his line of offering the individual anything. If you are on speaking terms with the vendor, mention it as no doubt they will be furious that this individual is trying to extract money from you and not acting in his best interest.
By the way, it is also illegal and can be punishable by law.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 264 - Articles: 1
1:09 PM, 22nd June 2015, About 11 years ago
send a letter to the owner at the address, they surely do not know this is going on.
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 13
1:23 PM, 22nd June 2015, About 11 years ago
Get yourself wired up with a camera when you hand over a brown envelope. Then show him the video and tell him unless you get the property you will grass him up. Two can play at this game.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 303
9:22 PM, 22nd June 2015, About 11 years ago
Agents have been taking bugs for years. Specially where they know that one is an experienced buyer or a developer. If you don’t bung them you will not get the propertynor will be shown others in the future.
You can report to who ever you like it is difficult to prove as it will be your word against the agent.
Ever, wondered what happens to properties where it states ” we are acting for the mortgagor and have received an offer of XXXX ” When you contact them & you say that you want to pay more & I don’t mean a tenner & you are cash buyer. You don’t make progress.
Some of the Agent’s, branch manager are in it together with the sales staff. Well come to the real world.
Member Since June 2013 - Comments: 3249 - Articles: 81
7:17 AM, 23rd June 2015, About 11 years ago
I like the agent ha ha. Oops should I be saying that in public.
Some agents want u to get it if u put it back on with them or let through them, he could be meaning that by scratching back.
Some don’t get paid enough, so they looking after theirself another way.
What’s that insurance commercial, don’t create a drama out of a crisis? Some people would scratch his back to secure the property, some wouldn’t.
Member Since September 2013 - Comments: 374
9:46 AM, 27th June 2015, About 11 years ago
He is asking for a bribe pure and simple and bribes have been illegal in this country for some time now.
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/23/contents
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 264 - Articles: 1
9:50 AM, 27th June 2015, About 11 years ago
saying it and proving it are not the same.
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 161
6:52 AM, 29th June 2015, About 11 years ago
How much did he want?