An investigation into the latest property scandals | TF1 | Enquêtes et Révélations

Shady developers, dishonest salesmen, and unscrupulous estate agents: how do you get a deal and avoid the pitfalls of the property market and how do you get compensation when the dream turns into a nightmare? Defective workmanship, hidden faults, over-valued properties: we expose the property network and reveal some more than dubious practices and fresh property scams. At the heart of the scandal are certain diagnostic agencies. Asbestos, lead, termites… these agencies are supposed to guarantee the quality of the property for sale… totally independently. Actually, our investigation reveals that many real estate agents have understandings with those doing the diagnosis to fabricate the results in order to receive large commissions… off the backs of the customers. The program also takes a look at new construction. How do you spot dodgy developers? How do buy at a good price and not be cheated. Finally, the program’s reporters infiltrated a society specialising in property investment schemes: deceitful promises, arguments learned by rote, bad faith, anything goes in order to get the customer to sign up. Sometimes the consequences can be dramatic: Marie-Christine thought she had assured her future when she put her trust in one of these advisers. For the last three years she has been sleeping in her car in order to repay the loan on an investment that turned out to be a disaster.