Information from an estate agent.

[derekpara]

My son split with his girlfriend last September and moved out of their jointly owned property. She remained, and he continues to pay half mortgage and utility bills etc.
Once the property was put on the market she did everything to hold up the sale; cancelling surveyors appointments, viewings, not returning clalls etc, etc.
Now, after she cancelled the latest survey, the buyer has pulled out and the estate agent has taken the property off their books due to her delaying tactics. Has my son the right to receive in writing the estate agent's true reasons for dropping the property, together with a log of all cancellations etc ? He may need this if the matter goes to court, as I think it will. Thanks.

[raysparx]

hi derekpara, As the property is in joint names I would say he has every right to get the true facts from the agent,I don't see how they can refuse,she sounds a right cow,after your lad has done the decent thing,good luck, Ray

[WendyS]

Maybe your son should move back into his jointly owned house and advertise the house over the Internet so that his ex doesn't know what's going on.I assume your son still has a key.
Alternatively, why doesn't he switch estate agents, tell the agent NOT to display a FOR SALE board on the property so that his ex doesn't know who is selling the house and get your son to arrange to be there when people come to view.

[derekpara]

Thanks for the advice and good wishes, Ray.
You are right in your estimation of her. Oh, and by the way she is an ex estate agent !

Thanks to you, too, Wendy. Unfortunately she is so devious that if my son were to move back in she would scream her head off, call the police and make all sorts of malicious accusations in a flood of tears. She has lied all through this episode and can't be trusted. However, he is still exercising his right to return to the property at any time by going in when she is out, moving small items around etc just to let her know he's been. I don't think my son can put the house with another agent without the knowledge/consent of the joint vendor, can he ?

[raysparx]

Hi derek,

She obviously knowa all the delaying tactics then,he must be able to get confirmation in writing as to how awkward she is being, your lad has got to just hang on in there,if she is going to create a stink,as you say best to stay away,I doubt he could put it with another agent without her knowledge, I take it the selfish cow does not want to move out,but she expects him to keep payuing half towards a house he can't live in, hardly bloody equality is it, wish you well in sorting this bitch out, Ray

[derekpara]

Thanks again, Ray. We have now got written evidence from the surveyors of ten appointments cancelled by her without consultation with my son. He has instructed his solicitor to make application to the court to sell the property in her stead as she is depriving him of benefiting from the equity of the property by her tactics. The result of this will be that she will have to get out immediately on exchange of contracts, instead of after completion. And she will have to bear all costs - assuming the judgement goes our way, which it should. She made a derisory offer to buy him out for nearly 20 grand less than his entitlement ! Her whole family were in it to sell the house and pocket this amount.
She will get her comeuppence one day - one way or the other !

[raysparx]

Brilliant news,really glad for you and your lad,hope it now goes ahead smoothly,what a cow, always the bloke who gets the blame though isn't it,hope justice is done on this one, take care, Ray