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Agencies & People

OTM ejects ‘baffled’ estate agency just two months after joining

The portal has told the agency it can no longer list on its platform because Eazy Agent 'doesn't do its own on-site valuations', an accusation it denies.

The Negotiator

eazy agent OTM

New online firm Eazy Agent claims it’s been unfairly kicked off OnTheMarket (OTM) despite not flouting any of the platform’s rules.

The Leeds-based agent – profiled earlier this week on The Negotiator – has been given a month’s notice in an email sent to co-founder Lee Farrell (pictured, above), which says, ‘Clients should do their own on-site valuations. It is of our understanding that Eazy Agent doesn’t offer this as part of their service.’

However, Farrell insists it does do its own valuations but claims that, like most agents, it has been doing virtual valuations during Covid. He now plans to get legal advice. “I’ve looked through the Ts and Cs and can’t find a reason why we’d be removed,” says Farrell.

A spokesperson for OnTheMarket says: “All estate and letting agent customers must meet the full-service eligibility criteria if they are to advertise and remain doing so with OnTheMarket.”

Pay now service

Eazy Agent claims to have launched a UK-first: a ‘pay now’ service, covering everything from legal fees to a removal van and even a dog sitter on moving day for £1,749.

It also has a £249 basic service which it promotes as a great budget alternative to traditional high street agents. The new firm covers all of the UK and often works with third parties for services such as photography and viewings.

Says Farrell: “I got a message through our live chat from someone telling me that pressure was being put on the platform by a company threatening that they would leave if we didn’t. I took it with a pinch of salt but then got the email giving us notice.” OTM declined to comment when this was put to them.

Three completions

Since launching eight weeks ago, the company has had three completions and, after this week’s publicity, had its highest daily number of site visits and 14 leads. He’s now decided to capitalise on the story and has updated the logo with ‘BANNED’ and the caption, ‘The brand they want to ban. Join the revolution.’

Adds Farrell: “It won’t stop us doing what we’re doing as we’ve shown it can be done. It just makes me more determined.”

Farrell is also a director of another property website, SellMyHomein28Days.co.uk which is a portal which offers vendors the ability to sell their home via a Pattison auction.

August 20, 2020

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