Choosing the right estate agent
Buying, selling or renting a home is one of the most important decisions you will have to make, and it can also be one of the most complex. An estate agent should be dedicated to simplifying the process for you to make it as stress free as possible, but the unfortunate reality is that lots of people have a bad experience with estate agents. The right agent will guide you every step of way and go above and beyond to get you the best deal.
At Marsh & Parsons, we’re proud of our reputation and award-winning customer service. It’s our job to ensure your property journey is as rewarding as possible, and we’ve had over 160 years to get it right.
If you’re thinking about changing estate agents, read on to see why you should switch to Marsh & Parsons and how simple it can be.
Reasons for switching estate agents
I’m selling my home – can I switch real estate agents as a seller?
Your home is on the market for sale, but you have only received a handful of viewings and the agent you instructed has gone quiet. Perhaps your agent is pushing for a price reduction, even though similar properties in your area are flying off the shelves. Sound familiar? If so, it’s time to think about switching estate agents.
If you have a negative experience with an estate agent, it’s usually obvious. But what does a good estate agent look like? Firstly, if you’re selling, you should receive accurate market-based pricing for your home, not an inflated figure to ‘hook’ you in. Once you’ve instructed your chosen agent, they should be in constant communication with you to guide you through every stage of the selling process. They should provide honest feedback after viewings and not tell you what you want to hear just to keep your instruction.
Marsh & Parsons’ sales team is underpinned by a culture built on energy, agility, professionalism and local knowledge. As a result, our clients benefit from highly accurate valuations informed by an intimate understanding of the communities in which we operate. Our accurate guide pricing means we will advise you of the right level to achieve the best results for you in line with the current market conditions.
In terms of finding buyers, your property should be advertised on major portals such as Rightmove or Zoopla, which only registered agents are able to do. If your estate agent is not advertising on any major portals, not only is your property not getting the attention it deserves, it might mean you’re dealing with a disreputable business.
At Marsh & Parsons, we have an extensive marketing strategy which has not only created a famous London brand, but gets your property seen where it matters. From our ever-growing social media following, our website, regular coverage in national and international press and office frontage in prime London locations, we always maximise the exposure our clients’ properties receive.
Our network of 27 offices across London work together to find the right buyer for you, meaning your property will be shown to vetted purchasers city-wide regardless of which office you are registered to.
If you’re interested in selling your property through Marsh & Parsons, click here to get in touch with our Sales team.
If you’d like to know more about our sales process, click here.
Letting out your home?
If you’re a seasoned landlord you may already be aware of the issues caused by a poor estate agent, but if you’re letting out your property for the first time you may not know what to look out for. Having the right knowledge can save you a lot of headache, time and money, which is why it’s important to choose a lettings agent that you can rely on for years to come.
Is your property constantly on and off the market due to unreliable, short-term tenancies? Does the rent achieved seem below the level similar properties in the area are earning? Has your managing agent gone radio silent, leaving you to do the work you’re meant to be paying them for? Maybe your agent hasn’t qualified your tenants and now your property is being sublet, or perhaps your tenancy has just finished and your property has been damaged. If you’re a first-time landlord, has the agent clearly disclosed all of their fees? If not, not only might you be met with unexpected charges, but you’ll most likely be dealing with an illegitimate agent.
If any of these issues are ringing true, it’s time to reconsider your letting or managing agent.
So, what makes a good letting agent? At Marsh & Parsons, we believe it’s quite simple – clear, honest communication, maximising returns, reliable tenants, long-term tenancies and no hidden fees.
We have a rigorous vetting process to find the best quality tenants that will treat your property with respect, and more importantly as a home. We have a unique qualification process that goes beyond just name and employment, ensuring candidates are pre-qualified before they see your property. What’s more, we operate one of the largest Corporate & Relocation departments in the Capital that attracts professional applicants from some of the world’s biggest companies. Rental income is important, but we understand it’s equally as important to have peace of mind that your tenants are in it for the long term, it’s why our average tenancy length is two and a half years.
We’re also one of the largest property management companies in London, managing 1,500 properties in London at any one time. We pride ourselves on excellent service, going above and beyond to make sure any issues that arise are dealt with quickly and efficiently. If your property is managed by us, both you and your tenants will have 24/7 access to our manned emergency line should the unexpected occur. When something needs to be done, we have a database of vetted, reputable contractors on hand, many of which have worked with us for several years.
It couldn’t be easier to switch to Marsh & Parsons’ lettings service, whether you have one property to manage or a whole portfolio. If you’re interested in letting your property with us, click here for a free, no-obligation valuation.
If you’d like to know more about our lettings process, click here.
How do you get out of a contract with an estate agency?
If you’re unhappy with your estate agent, it’s important to voice your dissatisfaction by making a complaint before making any rash decisions.
Once you’ve exhausted your agent’s complaints process and made the decision to switch to another agent, check your contract. You will need to terminate the contractual agreement before entering another with your new agent. Generally, you should contact your agent in writing and provide written notice of your intention to end the contract. The terms on which you will be able to terminate your contract will entirely depend on the content of the agreement – you may have to pay a fee even if the service the agent provided hasn’t been what you expected. There may also be a minimum notice period that you must adhere to in order to terminate the contract.
If you’re a seller your options will depend on whether you’re in a sole agency or multi-agency agreement. Sole agency means you cannot instruct alternatives until your tie-in period has ended, although you can still make another agent aware of your position and interest in switching. Whilst you can technically change estate agents during a sole agency, depending on the agreement, you will likely end up having to pay two separate agent fees once your property sells. We would advise against this for obvious reasons. Multi-agent agreements are more flexible, although the fees associated can be higher.
If you feel your estate agent is in breach of contract and/or breaking the law, you can escalate your complaint to a redress scheme, ombudsman scheme or trade association. For sales agents, this will be The Property Ombudsman. For lettings and managing agents, this will be either The Property Ombudsman or The Property Redress Scheme. Trading associations include The National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) or the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA).
If there is a part of your contract that you feel is unfair, you can dispute this under the Unfair Terms of Consumer Contract Regulations 1999.
Letting agents, under Section 83 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015, are required by law to have all their landlord fees on their website and premises. If you’re a tenant, any fees charged for renting a property would be considered a violation of the Tenant Fees Act 2019 and therefore a breach of contract.
Unsure on what grounds you can terminate your contract? We would be happy to help you determine what your rights and obligations are, and recommend reputable legal advice if necessary.
At Marsh & Parsons, we will only send you our terms of business once you have terminated the agreement with your existing agent.
Can I switch estate agents as a buyer?
It is just as important to use the right estate agent when buying a home. If you’re a first-time buyer, knowing what to look out for can help you choose the right agent when making one of the most important decisions of your life. Even if this is your second, third or perhaps fourth time buying a home, the property market is constantly changing for homebuyers, so it’s essential to stay up to date and alert to avoid getting caught out.
A good estate agent puts you first, taking the time to gain a thorough understanding of your requirements in a home. If your agent consistently suggests properties that are not in line with your criteria, this is usually a clear indication that they are more concerned with getting a sale than helping you as a homebuyer. At Marsh & Parsons, our sales team gets to know you and your requirements before recommending any properties to view. Of course, homebuying is not just about viewing properties – a good estate agent helps take care of the whole buying process to ensure it runs smoothly to completion without delay. If your agent is not attentive at every stage of your property purchase, you could suffer from longer completion times and could even lose out on the property to another agent or buyer at no fault of your own.
If your agent is not reputable, they are unlikely to have good relationships with solicitors, surveyors or conveyancers, all of which play a key part in property transactions. With Marsh & Parsons, you are our priority and we are there for you through every step of the way. We are one of the most prevalent agencies in London with long-established industry relationships, so you can be sure your property purchase will run as smoothly as possible when you buy through us.
What else to look out for
Is the property listed on Rightmove and Zoopla?
Only registered agents are able to list on these property portals. If your estate agent is not advertising on any major portals, you could be dealing with an illegitimate business and the property listing could be fake. If you’re unsure, check the company’s website and review rating on Google. As the saying goes, if it seems good to be true, it probably is.
Do you have clear communication with your estate agent?
If your enquiries are getting passed around to different sales agents or even different offices within an estate agency, it’s a sign your chosen agent is not prioritising you. Consistent contact with a single agent is vital to ensure your requirements are understood and met. At Marsh & Parsons, you’ll never hear the words ‘it’s outside my area’ – you will have one point of contact throughout the buying process no matter where in London you are searching, even if you decide you want to buy in a different area.
For more information on our buying process, click here. If you’re actively looking for a new home, contact your local M&P branch and we would be happy to help you with your search.
Can I switch estate agents as a tenant?
It is no secret that the demand for rental properties in London is outstripping supply right now. Unfortunately, this fosters the perfect environment for illegitimate lettings ‘agents’ to take advantage of those looking for their new home to rent. Making the wrong decision when it comes to renting a home could be a very costly mistake, so it’s important to know what to look out for.
Above all, clarity for tenants, especially those who are new to the UK, is paramount. A good lettings agent will include clear property and tenancy information with photographs that accurately advertise the property in question. If the property listing has no photographs and/or an unclear description, the listing could be fake. Be wary of using sites like Gumtree or Spareroom, as there is less protection for renters.
Whether you choose to rent privately or through a lettings agent, be sure to visit the property before making any decisions. If you are moving to the UK from overseas and are looking to secure a property before you arrive, ask the agent for a live video call viewing or ask someone you know to visit the property on your behalf.
If the agent or landlord is making it difficult for you to view the property and wants you to move in quickly, our advice is to walk away – you could be giving away your hard-earned deposit to a fraudulent entity.
Tenant Fees Act 2019
This legislation, introduced in June 2019, prohibits landlords and letting agents from charging any fees to tenants for renting a property in the UK. If your estate agent wishes to charge you any kind of fee, they are violating the law and may not be a legitimate letting agency.
Never send any money to a so-called ‘agency’ or ‘landlord’ asking for a holding deposit to reserve the property before you have seen it – this is simply a scheme to take your money.
Deposit Protection Schemes
All landlords must protect tenants’ deposits via a government-backed deposit protection scheme. This ensures that tenants get their deposits back, provided they have adhered to the terms of their contract and have not damaged the property.
If you are in an assured shorthold tenancy and your landlord or agent has not protected your deposit, or has not given you the details of your deposit protection within 30 days, they will be breaking the law and you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
Marsh & Parsons is a member of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, the longest running government-backed tenancy protection scheme in the UK.
How renters can choose the right agent
The best way to avoid any of these issues is to rent through a trusted local estate agent, who will have already qualified the landlord and their property to ensure nothing untoward happens.
For more advice and details on our rental process, click here.
How can I avoid having to switch estate agents in future?
Unfortunately, many of the issues listed on this page may not be apparent until your property journey is well under way, which is why it is important to do your due diligence on the estate agency in question before instructing them. Below is a list of things to look out for.
Choose an accredited agent
Whether letting, selling, buying or renting property in London, engaging a professional, regulated and established estate agency can ensure a smooth property transaction. Click here for a list of our accreditations.
Play the field
Get multiple opinions from different agents and go agent shopping to find the right fit for you.
Check reviews
Look at the estate agent’s reviews on Google – what are their customers saying about them? If the company does not have a 4.5 out of 5 rating or more, then it usually suggests the agent is inconsistent with the service they provide.
Give them a call
Is the agent helpful and friendly, and is the information they are providing in line with their website?
Is it worth changing estate agents?
Whether you’re buying, selling, renting or letting, if you suspect anything alarming or untoward with your current estate agent you should absolutely consider switching to another agent. Not only does a bad estate agent cause inconvenience and stress, they could ultimately harm you financially. An estate agent you can trust and who understands your needs can make all the difference in making your property dreams a reality.
Why choose Marsh & Parsons
If you’re feeling lost and wondering what to do next, getting a second opinion from Marsh & Parsons can help bring you clarity and direction so you can make the right decision.
We believe in a ‘one M&P’ mindset; a combined effort from all our departments to achieve the best result possible for our clients. Excellent service is at the heart of what we do, it’s why we’ve been matching people and property in London for over 160 years. When you come to Marsh & Parsons, we will provide straightforward, honest advice after taking the time to get to know you and your property requirements.
Don’t just take our word for it – our customers think so too. We’ve been awarded the Platinum Trusted Service award by independent review platform Feefo for the second year running after achieving a consistently high customer service rating. Feefo reviews can only be given by verified Marsh & Parsons clients, meaning that all scores and comments are based on customers’ genuine experience.
If you’re interested in switching to Marsh & Parsons, contact our team or visit your local branch.
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