Changing agent?

Hi, we have found the flat we wish to purchase but we reckon our agent is messing around with us on price talk - the flat has been vacant for more than 6 months and all of a sudden he says there has been an offer at xxmillion (higher than our offer) which the landlord still refuses to accept! meaning, we need to offer a much higher price... we strongly suspect he is making everything up. We had not signed any papers with him when viewing flats - are we allowed to switch agents for the same flat? We can't trust him anymore!!

Yes alas...there are good agents and not so good agents....do you have any "written contract"..this would be the starting point; notwithstanding what might be said in the contract IF you have a justified feeling that you are being 'misled', then you are justified to dump the agent and get a quality broker who has YOUR interests as their only priority (typically will only be paid from you). That is not to say the current agent won't try to chase you for commission IF you buy the flat BUT...if you buy it for the 'current' price you have offered (or arguable in the same range) and avoid paying the 'supposed increased asking price', then you will have a very good back up to your suspicions of your agent's breach of duty to you and therefore have ample justification to cancel your agreement with them. It is important that you start to note currently all your concerns with the agent (a sort of evidence diary) .....complete with dates and people present and so on....this will be extremely useful IF the agent decides to try to get paid in the future........if you need any further information you may contact our Senior Solicitor Mr. Weir


Weir & Associates

Solicitors & Notaries

Tel : 2526-1767

Fax : 2868-3568

email : weirlaw@hongkonglaw.com