You’ll probably have plenty of questions when going to a house viewing.
After all, you want to know all the essential information about a property.
One of the most common questions that a buyer has is whether other offers have been made.
Keep reading this blog to determine if estate agents can tell you about other offers.
What can I ask an estate agent?
You’re allowed to ask an estate agent whatever you want.
The estate agent must always be honest – but that doesn’t mean they’ll disclose confidential information.
This means that you aren’t guaranteed to get a response to some questions.
Some of the common questions that buyers ask estate agents, and expect an honest answer, is:
- How long has the house been on the market?
- How long is the lease?
- Has the price changed at all?
- Is there electricity, water and gas?
- Why are the owners selling?
Remember that if you ask a question that raises alarm bells, the estate agent may be obligated to report it.
Another common question is whether there are other offers on the property. We’ve covered this in the section below.
Can estate agents tell me about other offers?
Yes, an estate agent can tell you if there are other offers on the property. But they can’t disclose the exact amount.
Your estate agent is legally obligated to be honest about whether offers have been made.
The seller can permit them to disclose precise offers – in which case, they may do so. But otherwise, they can’t share this.
If there are multiple offers, the estate agent should tell every buyer about them.
Is an estate agent allowed to lie to me?
No, estate agents are not allowed to lie to you. They can withhold information if it’s confidential.
They should tell you straight if that’s the case.
What should I do if I think an estate agent is lying?
You have a few options in this scenario. The best solution depends on the situation.
Tell the estate agent’s organisation
You can bring it up with the estate agent’s organisation. They’re required to look into your complaint.
Report it to an independent body
If you feel there’s a lack of movement, report them to The Property Ombudsman (TPO).
The Property Ombudsman can look into your complaint. You should thus gather any proof relevant to the situation.
A property redress scheme
You could also complain about them if they’re part of a property redress scheme.
This step can only be done once the estate agency has been given adequate time to respond to your complaint.
They may then mediate the dispute and take suitable steps to ensure a fair resolution.
Can I find out about other offers on a property by myself?
No, it’s impossible to find this information on your own. Only the estate agent and the seller have access to this detail.
They can inform you if other offers have been made. But they’re unlikely to tell you the precise amount.
Is an estate agent allowed to exaggerate interest in a house?
Estate agents must avoid misrepresenting the property. This includes lying.
They cannot say that several offers have been made when this isn’t true.
The estate agent should also not deceive a buyer about the number of viewings they’ve hosted.
However, the estate agent can indicate how they expect the property to perform.
Based on their experience and expertise, this is their opinion. So, it’s not actionable if they are incorrect.
Can an estate agent show a house if there’s an exclusivity agreement?
Yes, the estate agent can give viewings of the house during this period. But they cannot accept any offers.
They must also tell the viewer that an exclusivity agreement has been signed.
In this scenario, the viewing only occurs if the exclusivity agreement falls apart.
The viewer may thus feel like it’s not worth their time. As if things don’t fall apart, the house is out of their reach.
Can an estate agent show a house if it’s ‘sold subject to contract’?
Yes, if the seller permits to do so. But the estate agent must be transparent about the stage of the negotiations.
This means that the viewer may not consider it worth their time. After all, if things progress as expected, the house is out of their reach anyway.
