Our partners, EweMove Ashby, give us useful tips when signing with an estate agent.

Agreement Termination

An Agency Term will typically run for a minimum period of normally between 8 weeks - 6 months. After this time the contract will continue, but will provide for a method of cancellation. This is normally in the form of either the seller or the agent serving notice upon the other of their intention to cancel, typically needing a 14-28 day cancellation period. Our Happy Sale Guarantee removes all these traps.

Cooling off Period

Under the provisions of the Consumer Contract (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013, the customer is entitled to a 14 day right to cancel. An agent must include written notice of how to exercise the right to cancel as part of their standard terms and conditions.

Top Tip. Most agents promise that they can sell your house quickly, but then tie you into a long-term contract. If they are as good as they say they are, you must question why? Demand a contract with no minimum term and a 14-day cancellation clause.

On the back of everything we have covered over the last few weeks, the main takeaway is to make sure that you fully understand the terms and conditions that you are signing, before you commit to an agent. They are often full of tricks and traps which could be detrimental to your sale. Make sure that your agent's main goal is to sell your property. Too often an estate agent's goal is to attract new business, using your property as leverage, and very quickly you become just another number.