Agent complaint

Thanks Martine,

I complained to the estate agent resolution service at consumer affairs,but it was a waste of time.They did speak with the agent concerned,but it seems he was able to do what he did because of the small print on the sale authority.The authority was for 10 weeks,and you would expect (at least I did) that at the end of 10 weeks,the contract was finished,unless another was signed.However,the small print on the back says “If the property is not sold during the authority period,unless the vendor advises the agent in writing to the contrary,the vendor appoints the agent to sell the property”.I don’t understand what the difference is.The sale authority is aa REIV non member form,but I don’t know if this clause is standard.I only have a faxed copy,and the print for this paragraph looks different to me.I don’t even know if this was a part of what I signed,as I am usually quite dilligent before signing anything.Maybe I should check it with the REIV,although as he is not a member,there isn’t much they can do.But anyway,let this serve as a warning to others who may switch agents after an authority has run out,to make sure you cancel the authority in writing!

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