can an estate agent do this?

[alison123]

I sold my house nearly a year ago now. The sale was handled through an Estate Agent, it was on the market for under a day and i never actually got any brochures printed although photos of my home were taken. It was sold to a guy whos intent was to add it to his portfolio of property. I have just been told by a friend that my house is now back up for rent but all my furniture, car etc (the original sale pictures that were taken of my home) is on the Estate Agents Website. Is this right that they can do this?

[Hawkwalk]

I dont see why not. You dont own the house or the photos.

[oldgrape]

why is that a problem???

[alison123]

No its not really a problem but i was just surprised that they would use my photos to advertise the property when i have not been in the property for a year, its just its my personal belongings that are on show.

[rabbitygirl]

It's probably not looking as good as when you left it so they are using old photos of when you owned it.

In which case, prospective tenants could be in for a surprise....

You could try calling them and saying you are unhappy and it is unbusinesslike, suggesting they take new photos. After all, it's not as if agents are rushed off their feet these days.

[oldgrape]

did you have to pay estate agent fee's for the photos to be taken if so see if u can get some cash back

[alison123]

Im not too sure what came in the package with regards to the sale but it sold that quickly they never even got to print and i still had the full lot to pay and it wasnt cheap neither. As i said earlier its not a huge problem but it would have been nice to have been asked if they could be re-used, afterall i paid for the Estate Agents Service.

[888sally888]

I would call the Estate Agent and ask politely if they could take some more photos without your possessions in and your car.

I work in an Estate agent and we always take fresh photos so they are true to the current condition of the property.

Sounds like a lazy EA to me!!

[mrs.chappie]

Sally, I found your comment about EAs taking fresh photographs interesting, as I have viewed lots of properties, and have often thought that a place looked great in the brochure, only to find places well worn or run down in reality. I thought the photos were touched up/photoshopped or whatever, to make them look better! Do you think some Estate Agents are rogues? lol.

[888sally888]

Obviously you take the best shot you can, but we dont touch them up at all.

You know when a property is a minger - there are NO photos in the brochure!

I am lucky working for a good honest company.

[mrs.chappie]

Sally, I expect you have been asked this loads of times, but do you have any tips on selling your property? I know about the obvious ones, like cleaning and decluttering, but is there anything else that you know of? Thanks for reply.

[888sally888]

Well, here are a few ideas:-

Like you say de-clutter and put everything you can away - dont overstuff cupboards cos people look in them and then assume theres not enough space.

Light coloured paint.

Mirrors to lighten and enlarge the room.

Sparkling clean windows, bathrooms and kitchen.

Toilet seats down!!

Nice smart front door, working bell and good tidy garden for maximum kerb appeal.

Good smells - particularly if you have pets!!

Crikey I could go on and on!!

[alison123]

Well thank you all very much for you help on this one. I am going to give them a call tomorrow, not just because i think they should have asked me but also as Sally pointed out it is not a true reflection of the current state of the property now. I just think it must be the Estate Agent i used because when i think back whilst it was in the process of going through the sale at the very same time they put it up for rent (whilst it was still my property) on behalf of the guy who was buying it from me.

[888sally888]

Oh and when doing viewings

Always let the applicant go into the rooms first to give the feeling of space.

Chat about the area - parks, schools, buses etc depending on what age you are pitching to.

[zig.zag]

you sound like an estate agent sal lol

[alison123]

She is, lol

[mrs.chappie]

Eeee, thanks Sally, you're a doll.

(Sorry to interrupt your thread Alison).

[jno]

cook fresh bread if you can, people adore the smell. Don't leave anything valuable around - someone nicked a ring from our dressing table. Tidy the garden as well as the house, otherwise one will show the other up.

[888sally888]

yep sorry zig I am one - but am nice really!!

[alison123]

No worries mrs.chappie, hope you manage to sell as quickly as i did ! Good luck!!

[zig.zag]

cor blimey

the audi fits in now lolololol