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David Price
Member - 80 posts
I'm not sure if I am the only one who has cause for concern in relation to the safety of Estate agents and the homeowners that they send people to see.
A female friend of mine is trying to rent her house, and I am amazed that estate agents just send anyone along to see her without checking if they are an axe murderer or not.
As a single mum on her own with a young baby she has had both men and women and couples arrive with what would appear to be just a phone calls notice from the Estate agent concerned to inform her of their iminant arrival.
I feel that in this day and age that that is no longer acceptable, as none of us involed in FM would let a complete stranger just wonder around our buildings?
I also thought that Estate Agents were no longer sending lone femails to show propeties to male clients but it would appear that this is still happening also.
I did ask the question of an estate agent that why would they send a man who has just walked into their offices to see a woman on her own with a young baby? There answer:- We would send a man on his own but not if it was 2 men?
How do they know that the guy in front of them doesn't have 3 male friends sitting outside in a car? This situation is open to all kinds of abuse by those who are intent on commiting a crime, on those who maybe at home alone and not able to defend themselves.
I think Estate Agents should either ensure that a person is always accompanied before sending a complete stranger to the home of an elderly woman, or man, or anyone who is on their own.
A home owner could be robbed, attacked, or worse. What are Estate Agents doing about this unacceptable risk, that really is an accident waiting to happen?
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Anne McAllister
Member - 124 posts
Very good point.
As an employer the main emphasis should be on safety of not only staff but customers as well.
I suppose the lone female seller could make arrangements to be accompanied by a family member or friend.
There is a legal duty to protect lone employees however and I would have expected more responsibilty from the estate agent.
Surely arranging for the estate agents employee to be present while these visits are being done would ensure the safety of both parties?
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Philip Jeffs
Member - 299 posts
I suppose the estate agent may feel that their instructions are to find a tenant. As they do not employ the owner what duty of care do they have other than moral obligation?
Much as I can see the potential for harm, surely the property owner has a duty of care to not put herself in such a situation, and to only agree to people calling the property when she has another person in attendance?
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David Price
Member - 80 posts
If we lived in a perfect world than always having another person present, wouldn't be a problem for any of us, but we don't and it isn't.
Wouldn't we all like to have someone at home for all those times when, the gas meter needs changing, a parcel is being delivered, or a tradesman is due. There a lot of perople that for whatever reason are on their own, and simply don't have anyone else to call.
Eastate agents are quick enough to take the money if a sale or rental is agreed, but it would seem that these days they seem to be willing to do less and less for it, and if that includes putting a home owner at risk then so be it.
It will only take one incident then all hell will break loose, what is it with this country where we always act after the event, rather than trying to prevent it from happening in the first place?
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