This year, the GMAR has received many complaints from sellers and listing agents about cooperating agents leaving properties damaged after showings. On several occasions, carpeting was pulled up from the corner, and left unattached to the floor. The practice of pulling up and dislodging the sellers’ carpeting is not the proper procedure to verify the existence of hardwood floors.
Recently, a listing agent reported to GMAR that wood paneling was pulled and ripped away from a basement wall! Photos of the damage suggest that the buyers likely wanted a look at the foundation; however, in attempting to pull back the paneling, it broke away. Again, this is not the proper method of verifying the condition of a basement wall. The same goes for determining the ease for which wallpaper can be removed by tearing off a piece.
Damaging the sellers’ property, or allowing to happen, could result in an ethics complaint filed with the GMAR, and the Department of Safety and Professional Services. The police could also be called in because for allegations of vandalism and criminal damage to property.
