Are estate agents falsely advertising your home?

Estate agents throughout the UK are failing to comply with the Housing Act by advertising homes as having multiple bedrooms, even if some are unfit for purpose – which can lead to legal action.

In 1985, the Housing Act was introduced to avoid properties becoming overcrowded, as well as ensuring that properties bought and sold were fit for the purpose for which they were advertised. Across the country, however, estate agents have been breaking the law in an effort to sell more homes and boost their figures.

The act specifies that a double bedroom should be at least 110sqft to be considered viable, while a single bedroom should be at least 50sqft unless it is for a child under 10 years of age. But new research from Direct Line insurance have found that 48% of homes on the market have at least one bedroom where the floor area does not comply with the Housing Act, while a third of properties on sale that claim to have a second single bedroom really only have a room that is unsuitable for anyone over 10 years of age.

Property selling experts have been quick to criticise the practice, which often leaves new homeowners in a difficult position, unaware that they qualify for compensation due to false advertising.

“Anyone who has purchased a property knows the marketing literature can often be misleading,” said Nick Brabham, head of Select Premier Insurance.

“But it is concerning to see so many properties across the UK being marketed by estate agents as having single and double bedrooms which are barely fit for purpose.”

The research itself found that Sheffield, Bristol, Liverpool and Birmingham-based estate agents are the worst offenders, with over 66% of all properties for sale in Bristol containing an incorrectly listed bedroom. On the other end of the scale, agents in Edinburgh, Manchester, and Glasgow were found to be the most honest when their listings were reviewed.

This practice can pose an issue for those who need to sell a house fast but are having difficulty due to the lack of information regarding the Housing Act. But luckily, house buying companies will buy any home for cash regardless of the bedroom sizes, while still providing useful offers.

Need to sell fast but worried about your room sizes? Why not ask National Homebuyers for advice, as we buy any house. Call 08000 443 911 or request a call back to find out how much you could get for your property.

Let our friendly sell house fast team guide you through our quick move now fast house sale process for your city such as the example below:

• Sell House Fast Manchester
• Sell House Fast Liverpool
• Sell House Fast Leeds
• Sell House Fast Birmingham