Estate agent contracts and vulnerable mother in law Post Reply

[MGMidget]

My Mother-in-Law wants to sell her home soon and has shortlisted two estate agents she is happy with. She told them both she wanted to see the draft contract so she could get my husband or me to check it over before she signs. Both have told her she has to go into their office to sign the contract and they won't give out a draft for her to take away. Is this the norm? I am pretty sure that when I sold my previous home many years ago it was normal to be sent the contracts to sign so there was an opportunity to look at them at leisure before signing. I'm worried she's vulnerable and will sign something she regrets. She is not comfortable dealing with contracts and gets confused about the details. She's easily placated and backs down on anything she is concerned about when a smooth talking salesperson gives her a response to her concerns. Unfortunately neither me nor my husband can go to the estate agent with her in the next few days as its a couple of hours round trip to get there. I'm wondering if the estate agents are trying things on with her or is it normal not to give out a draft contract for inspection? They have told her the valuation letter is all she needs to see but this doesn't include all the terms on termination etc and from memory estate agent contracts normally include lots of 'small print'! I'm wondering if we should kick up a fuss and put pressure on them to give her a contract to look at outside of the office before signing?

[Wheresmyschool?]

Have you called them on her behalf?

Under no circumstances would I allow her to sign!

I'd call them and speak to the negotiator and ask them to send it to you. They'll probably say something like "data protection act blah blah" but I'd just then ask for them to send a standard draft.

Sounds v v v fishy!

[MGMidget]

Yes, thanks Wheresmyschool, you confirmed what I thought. I have told her to put her foot down and say she won't go ahead until they send her a draft contract so she can get family members to look at it! One of them has now agreed to do this.

[shopper]

We have always had draft contracts sent to us. As with any transaction subject to a contract, we twould mark up any points we want to modify and its then a negotiation / discussion as to what they are happy to amend.

[NYE31]

She shouldn't sign anything & I would be looking for different estate agents, if in doubt you could always ask the solicitor that she is planning on using for the conveyancing to look over them.

If it's Realm Estates, do not use them under any circumstances.

[SW19Mama]

My husband is an estate agent and this is definitely not correct. He sometimes takes contracts for signing to clients homes, perhaps you could ask for this at a time convenient to either you or your husband?

[firsttimerSW11]

I have used Rampton Baseley (who are fantastic) and they send a copy of the contract to sign electronically.
An instant red flag would be raised in my mind if someone was insisting I go into the office rather than being able to read the fine print at my leisure.