Compensation for misleading advice given by Estate Agents and Auctioneers
Richard Copus can also help you claim for money lost through the Modern Method
Legal Advice & Compensation
Up until now, the only method of redress where the estate agent or auctioneer has denied liability is to approach their professional body (if they belong to one) or go to the relevant Ombudsman (advisable in every case) who can rule against them. Instructing a solicitor and/or going to court can be very costly and should be used as a last resort.
Most estate agents and auctioneers are honest and fair and do not live up to their media image. Recently, a new method of sale, the Modern Method, has appeared where very high buyers' reservation fees are standard and where clarity for buyers and sellers has been inadequate. If you have lost money through an agent's or auctioneer's fault you need to take the matter further.
Initial consultations are free. Why lose thousands of pounds of your own. The law is there to protect you - so use it!
Modern Method of Auction
The Modern Method of Auction has been around for about 5 years. During that time there have been major complaints about it and many buyers and sellers have lost money as a result of irresponsible and negligent advice.
If you are a buyer and have lost your reservation fee for any of the following reasons, you may have a case against the agent/auctioneer for compensation:
The delay in exchanging contracts within the given time period was on the part of the seller,
It was not made clear to you that the reservation fee was non-recoverable,
It was not made clear that this fee is added to the purchase price for stamp duty,
The sales particulars did not clearly link you to the auction conditions,
The sales particulars were inaccurate in any way.
If you are a seller:
You were not told that a high buyers’ fee would reduce the price you could achieve for your home,
Your property was marketed for less than a month leading up to the auction.
About Richard
Richard has been a practising estate agent and auctioneer for over 30 years and is a Fellow of the National Association of Valuers & Auctioneers (NAVA) and an Honoured Fellow of the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA).
He read law at university, is an industry trainer and sits on disciplinary tribunals. He has an in depth knowledge of the law as it affects estate agents and auctioneers and has given advice to Trading Standards and solicitors.
"I did not think that I would ever see my money again, but Richard used his knowledge and experience to get me back most of what I had lost within 7 weeks"
N Jones - Preston, Lancs.