Dispute over estate agent charges on unsold home

May 15 2011 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun

A ROW has broken out over an estate agent’s charge for trying to flog a house.

No thumbs up or thumbs down on this story ... I’ll just tell the tale and let readers make their own decision.

Customers Alan and Joan Cazely were charged £293 registration fee by Igloo Estates.

The balance of £1600 would have been paid if the house was sold but the couple took it off the market after claiming they received just two feedback calls in nine months.

Alan, of Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, said the estate agent did not offer a refund.

He said: “Igloo asked for £250 + VAT up-front to cover the energy performance certificate (EPC) and marketing with the remainder payable when sold.

“In nine months we only had two feedback calls throughout the whole period of marketing and decided to cancel. We feel we are entitled to some of our deposit back but we accept a fee is payable for the energy performance certificate and I know they cost around £50.”

It was time to talk to Igloo boss Brian Johnson to hear his side of the story.

He said there was a deal on where the vendors would pay “out of pocket” expenses.

He said: “The fee we agreed was £1600 inclusive of VAT, to include EPC, marketing costs and solicitors’ fee on the sale of the property.

“We were doing a special promotion at the time offering a reduced fee on condition the owner covered the cost of our “out of pocket expenses.”

“We have many clients who have been delighted with this deal and can supply testimonials to support this.”

He said at no point did Igloo say money would be refunded if the house did not sell.