Professor Property Advice

I signed a 12-week-contract with my estate agent just over a month ago after having received an information pack that the property would be advertised locally and on rightmove. It is now 1 month later and the estate agent has done nothing at all. Despite continuously telling us the property will go on rightmove 'by next week' it still is not on there. We have now been told they won't get onto Rightmove until next month. The agent distributes the West Essex Property Mart from their office but our property is not advertised in there either. Response from the estate agent when asked why it was not in the magazine, they claimed to 'get a better response from the Ilford Recorder. Surprise...the property is not advertised in Ilford Recorder either. We had to beg for over a week to get a 'for sale' sign in the garden as our neighbours' similar property was for sale at a similar price with a different agent. The sign arrived after almost 2 weeks and was placed in front of the wrong property. By the time thesign arrived our neighbours property had sold (for the asking price)The photo taken of the lounge (our main selling point) was dark and not sharp and despite me sending a clear lighter photo by email this was not used.The only place my property is advertised is in the shop window and the Ellis and Co website. The estate agent has sent round one viewer in 4 weeks who we believe is a friend of his. After the viewing I was informed by the agent the viewer did not wish to make an offer as he was looking for a property with a separate kitchen, not a 'galley' kitchen that was part of the living room. I reminded the agent we DO have a separate kitchen (of decent size), to which I got the response ""I don't know what he's talking about then""My question: I want to cancel my contract and go to a different agent. I feel that I signed the contract under false pretences believing my property would be on rightmove and properly advertised (as stated in the info pack

I would suggest you have received poor service. I’d suggest reading carefully through your agreement with your estate agent to see what it says. The trouble is when it goes wrong a little it often gets worse.Firstly you need to write to the Senior partner or head Office (Get a name of the MD) and report all your complaints in writing as and when they occurred. Make clear what you want to happen in that letter. This should result in a meeting or at least a good conversation which resolves the problems either so you can escape immediately or so that you get a massive improvement in service. Ask for someone else to deal with the marketing/ Argue for a reduction in fees etc..Check to see if the agent is a member of The National Association of Estate Agents or The Ombudsman Scheme and if so and your complaints unresolved write to them as well.Remember the best solution may not be to exit, but keep your options open. Do not instruct another agent without attempting a resolution or you may find yourself liable to pay two agents fees.I’d suggest talking to a solicitor if you’re not sure of your position.

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