BEWARE of Estate Agents contracts

BEWARE of Estate Agents contracts

Selling a home can be a stressful time for all of us and it’s not helped by an estate agent contract that may not be as clear as it should be. If you want to pull out of your house sale or simply don’t feel that your estate agent is getting the job done, what you can do will depend on your original contract.

When it comes to selling your house, there is already so much to think about. To complicate matters, each estate agent will have a different contract which we feel our clients (you) should understand before signing.

We have had several customers get in touch the past few months who are dissatisfied with their chosen agent but who are unable to switch as they are tied into a law biding contract.

Tie-in periods

Lots of estate agents, even the big high street brands, include a tie in period. But if you end up not getting on with your chosen estate agent or become unhappy with their service you will want to terminate the contract. Unfortunately, some agents can tie you into a contract up to 20 weeks after notice of termination.

Why do agents tie you into a contract?

Being "locked in" is probably the biggest single source of complaints that we get from clients. Although these contracts stop the other agents from selling your home, but it makes the home selling experience much more fraught than it should be.

Who does the contract benefit? The client (you) or the agent?

It is argued that when clients try to terminate a contract, the tie in strategy gives the agents the motivation to sell it quickly as you want to leave their services and use someone else. Although the threat switching can spur new motivation, this is usually where the "numbers game" strategy begins. This is where viewings start to increase more often but again do not add up to anything.

We have seen cases where a home owner’s life is on hold for months until they can safely switch from one estate agent to another one. The question is, why do agents keep you tied in with them, when you are unhappy?

Hidden fees

Check the contract for extra fees, such as marketing (which should be included in the commission fee!) or penalties for ending the contract early. This can sometimes be missed so please read the small print carefully to avoid extra charges.

Why we keep it plain and simple

We do not have any timescale tie-in contracts or any hidden fees. By doing our job well you will want to stay with us. The only person who benefits from locking you in is the agent. Our contracts have no lock-ins, tie-ups or sub-clauses, so if we are not performing, you can simply move to another agent.

All our marketing expenses are included in the fee we charge. We will only charge you a percentage fee on the successful sale of your property. We will always do the best we can for you and that included the fee we charge.

With us you can be assured of our utmost attention.

If you would like any advice on selling your property or if you would like advice on your current contract. Please get in touch. We are here to help.

Best wishes,

The Alexanders Team.


Get in touch with us

The New Year is often a time for fresh starts and better decisions – If you’ve been feeling frustrated by a lack of communication, poor marketing, or little progress with your sale, the New Year could be the perfect time to make a change.

New Year, fresh goals, if moving home by spring 2026 is on your list, now’s the moment to plan. Understand how long properties took to go under offer and complete in 2025, and the key steps you need to hit your timeline. Read on to map out your best move ever.

One of the most common questions we hear from clients is: “Should I sell my current home before buying my next one, or buy first?” There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer—each approach has benefits and risks. Understanding your options can help you make the decision that suits your circumstances.

As we move toward 2026, the property market is set to evolve in ways that will influence how quickly homes sell, what buyers prioritise, and how sellers can best position their properties. While no forecast can be exact, current trends, economic indicators and buyer behaviour provide strong clues about what the next year may hold.