What to do if you’re not happy with your agent
No one likes to be in a situation they don’t like, and we certainly hate the feeling that something isn’t right with a decision we’ve made. Don't panic, there are things you can do.
The process of selling your property is in itself a daunting task and you want to make sure you are confident in the ability of the agent you have instructed. You want the results you deserve, communicated in the right way. Here are things to do when you are unhappy with your agent…
· Talk to them - You would need to explain what is making you unhappy and what aspect of their services you would like them to improve on.
·Make suggestions- Having identified the aspects of your agent's services you are not happy with suggest how they can improve and what your expectations are moving forward. A communication plan is always a good place to start.
·Escalate your complaint - Your agent should have a formal complaints handling procedure in place. Ensure you have a copy of this and that they follow the procedure. Property agents in the UK must be members of a redress scheme. There are two options: The Property Ombudsman (TPO) and The Property Redress Scheme. Should your agent not react as you would like, explore the option of filing a formal complaint with their ombudsman.
·Check your contract- If you have tried all means to get your agent to see things your way and it’s not working, it may be time to check the details of your contract on how you can terminate. You may wish to instruct them to remove your property from the market. Remember, if you have signed a Sole Agency agreement you are not able to market your home with another agent until this has expired.
·Instruct another agent- If you are satisfied that you have fulfilled the conditions for the termination of your prior contract then you may need to get another agent. Take your time, consider any viewings you have been on and how that agent kept you updated. Did they sell the property you were viewing well? Consider what disappointed you with the last agent and ask your base questions around these shortcomings to ensure you are on the same page! Before instructing any agent look at their reviews. Google is a great place to look – if they are as good as they say they are people will have left reviews to reflect this! Read the bad ones too and the agents reply … things aren’t always as they can initially seem.
It’s horrible getting stuck with professionals whose methods or performance do not align with our expectations!
We hope these tips help with getting you the service you deserve.