Property Purchase has gone wrong!

That's a good idea, Brian, and another popular Spain forum does have a very useful FAQ section compiled by moderators and other knowledgeable members. However, such a compendium will always be limited in its usefulness by the fact that things often change rapidly in Spain, and furthermore practices vary considerably from one region to another.

I'm a bit confused by Roy's last post, because I wasn't aware that this thread had degenerated into "ponts scoring" or "lobbying". I hope it wasn't anything to do with my comment about Solvit (which was factually based on personal experience, nothing more) and for the record, it certainly wasn't me who sent him an abusive PM. As an unqualified, non-professional member of the public (forum) I cannot presume to "educate" anyone, only offer my own experiences (which may well differ from those of others) in the hope that they may be of help to someone else. Like Roy, I am a strong advocate for always folowing the rules, but will never contend that by doing so will necessarily get you the result you want, expect or deserve.

I have no personal experience of OMIC.

Hi Briando55

Thanks for the suggestion, if anyone does have any suggestions or ideas to help make the experience of the forum better, by all means please send me a PM and we will most certainly consider it. After all this forum is for all of you and anything we can do to make it better is in everyone's best interest.

thanks,

In the case identified by the original poster is the suggestion that the agent should be made accountable by this OMIC system ( which would be deemed effective accountability)?

But beyond that if there is no accreditation system in place for agents then how is that agent prevented from repeating the abuse with future clients? My concern being that future "clients" remain at risk unless there is a trusted mechanism in place that they can refer to when seeking out reputable agents or legal professionals in Spain from the outset.

As I have said from the beginning easy advice, don't  give money to the agent or the developer, pay through your lawyer, that's what ALL my clients do and have always done. 

This thread was all about helping somebody with a problem NOT telling everybody that ALL agents are scumbags and SPIVS, why can't we keep this forum simple and stop the name calling

Cimments on here won't change the system, I would love regulation fir agents but while 70% are Spanish it isn't going to happen, get real 

Really, Roy, I don't know what posts you're seeing that I'm not, but you're sounding paranoid & overly defensive. Calm down. You've made your point and I'm sure it's been duly noted by the OP.

Inspectahome,

Who is referring to agents in that horrible manner?

Certainly not I , I can assure you.

I think the tone of your response implying name calling needs clarifying so as to not mislead readers as to who is behaving in this manner.

My observations with regard to gaining accreditation procedures is sincerely meant as a means of gaining a solution to mitigate these problems that as already highlighted, does a grave disservice to the real estate industry and good professionals alike.

Without discussing this issue, which appears sensitive, how else can future clients be forewarned of these events, and how else can reform ever be achieved? 

I repeat the intent to improve the status quo is sincerely meant and in no way is intended as intimidating.

If you have a problem with your agent in Spain and the agent is a member of the AIPP or similar professional body you can complain to them. They will refer your case to the Property Ombudsman and if they feel the agent has broken the rules of conduct they will instruct the agent to refund all or part of your money.

Excellent posting Eddie69.... just taken a further look at this and noted the following reassuring observations

http://www.aipp.org.uk/

"Important note about the service provided by the AIPP

We provide free and impartial information to UK citizens about buying a foreign property. The AIPP does not sell property, but it is an association made up of property sellers & associated companies who voluntarily subscribe to the AIPP code of conduct. The AIPP does not underwrite the business activities of its members. AIPP does monitor and enforce its code of conduct and does, from time to time, take disciplinary proceedings against members that may lead to their sanction – but expulsion from the AIPP is the ultimate sanction we can impose. In common with other trade organisations, the AIPP does not underwrite for the benefit of members of the public any shortcomings or negligent acts by its members.

That said, AIPP members are also subscribed to the independent and specialist The Property Ombudsman service. Members of the public can, at no cost to themselves, make a complaint about an AIPP member which, if upheld by The Property Ombudsman, could lead to an award of compensation being made to the complainant of up to £25,000 – such an award being payable by the AIPP member. "

Also noted a category at the side of the webpage that provides to a search by Company and Country, which presumably will act as a list of accredited agents, is this correct?

If so, this should act as a major assistance and reassurance to prospective UK clients.

Great news and presmably this accreditation system will provide an incentive for more Spanish companies and agents to subscribe to, so long as the enforcement of the above is seen to be complied with.

This message was last edited by ads on 17/03/2017.

You only have to reas the pots earlier in this thread or the thread my offer has been accepted to see people calling ALL agents SPIV's and scumbags

Todays PM again accusing me of being a conman, SPIV and scumbag

you are a spiv conman trying to fleece foreign nationals.

Which is it?

Probably both ...

This thread talks about agents taking commisions upfront, not true, we get paid when the buyers complete, via the Notary, on a new build in 12 months normally

As soon as you have the front to work in the industry people seem to believe that it is fair to rubbish your reputation, on here now it is a bit of a sport for a certain group, some I am sure go by multiple names, it is too easy to hide behind a name

I am afraid at best AIPP is a badge that you pay for, if you are willing to pay anybody can become a member, agian great idea but primarily a money making scheme

As I always explain my posting come form REAL LIFE practical experience

The only protection is a good agent and independant lawyer, oh sorry they din't exist do they

Roy. 

I am a former member of AHIPP (formerly overseen by with AIPP from my recollection) It was (and still is if this returns) a requirement of providing the home information pack in the UK, I'm sure this is still the case in Scotland, although not having looked this up just now I am posting from assumption. 

The AHIPP had to audit me on two occasions as part of the scheme rules, and these were very stringent visits with some tough measures to be adhered to.   Some people were struck off by them for failing to keep correct records.  

There is a fee to be a member and there are procedures for members and consumers to use as redress if anything goes wrong.  

As a voluntary scheme it doesn't work because too many people will think it's a 'money making scheme'.   As far as consumers are concerned the posters original questions concern a less productive 'money making scheme' used by some agents and vendors.  It all depends on which side of the transaction you are, but the absence of proper regulation is the key to these situations coming around and I would be proud to boast I belonged to some professional body which set me apart from the sort of agents you are accused of being.  I think the Spanish system would benefit by further regulation.  

Incidentally, thanks fro taking the trouble to post on here, I'm pretty sure the agents that are the worst kinds, would not show their faces.   I have said before there are lots of people who have been stung, and it does hurt.  

This message was last edited by briando55 on 17/03/2017.

OK, so now we're getting some specifics. Sad as this may seem, I have checked and on this thread the only member using the word "spiv" in a post is you, Roy. Even sadder, I have checked the other thread you mention, and out of 109 posts, there is only one other member using that word in relation to estate agents (apart from yourself) - and anybody who has spent any amount of time on this forum and has any common sense at all already knows that his posts should not be taken too seriously. So really, the only person being negative here is you, Roy. As for what people say to you in private messages, that's really of no interest or concern to others, and I suggest you register your complaint with the moderators. There's nothing any of us members can do about it, and you should not be tarring the rest of us with the same brush in retaliation. That's quite insulting.

As for "This thread talks about agents taking commisions upfront, not true" - I'm sorry, but whether or not you want to believe it, from " REAL LIFE practical experience" (you don't have exclusive rights to this) I can tell you it does happen. But this is in no way a criticism of you, or any of your reputable colleagues. 

The AIPP membership isn't just a "badge" agents pay for. They do take complaints seriously and if you can show that your agent broke their rules of conduct they will take action. 

The moderators actually edited 9 posts referring to the spivs and scumbag  agents on 3 different threads unfiortunately

i have been involved in 2 AIPP cases for clients so I do know what happens so Eddie have you has cause to use them and usu it work

sometimes in life this forum drives you down and I have spoken to the moderators 

 Roy are you an EOS advertiser? 

Why do ask and my response is not anymore and have not for at least 2 years

Just wanted to know. Thought that was why you have EOS VIP logo.

Many years ago EOS had a scheme where you paid to get a VIP status with a range of benefits 

the scheme no longer exists but for some reason I still have the badge but I am a normal member, no special benefits 

And again, just for the record - I am not Tony Down the Pub, and have good reason to believe that the person who has just created that profile also is not the #RealTonyDownThePub and is an imposter. Fake news alert! Yes, I introduced the imaginary character of Tony Down the Pub to this forum, based on a real person I knew who typified the kind of annoying, under-the-radar sterotype most of us have met at some time or other - the proverbial bar-room lawyer, etc. I only hope that whoever has created this profile will not abuse Tony's good name and reputation as a harmless (mostly) rogue who basically means well.

It's not me. 

There you go the forum strikes again 

Inspectahomespain,

When you were involved in the two AIPP cases for clients was there a problem?