Foxtons accused of bullying homehunters over finances

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Dani Knapp, 27, from Putney, who owns a PR consultancy, claimed she was branded a "time waster" and her appointment to see a £425,000 riverside flat in Richmond was cancelled because she wanted to use another mortgage broker.

She said the agent's attitude "flipped" after she rejected his suggestion that she take advice from mortgage brokers Alexander Hall. She said: "As soon as I said I had my own broker he changed. Immediately he said, 'I'm not going to show you the property'."

Such behaviour breaks Office of Fair Trading rules that forbid estate agents from discriminating against potential buyers who choose not to take up other services that they offer.

Foxtons has previously faced criticism for urging buyers to discuss their finances with Alexander Hall, owned by the same company. Foxtons insisted today blamed the row on a "misunderstanding". A company spokesman said: "We have spoken to the agent and it seems he did frustrate Ms Knapp, but he did not say she had to use Alexander Hall. He was trying to clarify whether she did have a mortgage and was insistent that she had an agreement in principle. He wanted to make sure he only took the best buyers [to view the flat]."