Cancelling estate agents
How to cancel your estate agent's agreement
How to cancel your estate agent
Whether you've had enough of a dishonest and incompetent estate
agent, simply changed your mind about selling your home, or want to
save on commission fees and market the property yourself, you are
entitled to cancel your agreement with the agent.
If you have a "sole selling" agreement you must wait until the
notice period elapses.
If you have a "sole agency" agreement check how long the period
runs for and what notice you have to give. Avoid instructing
another agent until the end of your sole agency period because if
they find a successful purchaser within that time you'll still be
liable to pay commission to your original agent. This means you
could end up paying double commission. You can still find a private
buyer yourself during that period.
To cancel your agreement, call the agent (making a note of the
time and who you speak to) and tell them you wish to give notice
that you're withdrawing instructions for them to sell your property
with immediate effect. Tell them you've made a note of the call and
will confirm again in writing. You do not have to give them an
explanation as to why you're cancelling.
If they refuse to co-operate then contact the relevant ombudsman
or regulatory body with your complaint.
If you're cancellation is successful and you manage to sell your
home at a later date, the estate agent who you cancelled may still
try to claim commission on the sale. Go to the next section of this
guide to see what to do in this event.
Claims Financial