Haart seem to be leading the way in 'informal tenders' where the buyer has to pay the agents fees even though the agent is representing the seller. This has no benefit for the seller or buyer and is only designed to ensure that Haart get their full 2% commission. The way they are doing this is unethical and unacceptable: None of the advertising about the property makes clear that a 2% fee is payable to the agent We were not told at the open day that that a 2% fee is payable to the agent Haart also seem to charge 2% of the sale price in ‘hot' areas like Manor Park and 2% of the asking price in ‘cool' areas elsewhere in the country The buyer is liable for the 2% commission on exchange of contracts could lose a lot of money if the sale doesn't complete for some reason The buyer won't be able to add the 2% to their mortgage or take it out of their deposit so it has to be cash from somewhere else. The 2% commission also carries VAT at 20% which is a lot more than stamp duty would have been They also pretend that they can't verify mortgage offers (which probably means that they haven't tried) - they just want to box you into using their own broker to get a share of the commission In short, these people seem to be ‘gaming the market' for their own benefit. Do not go near them.