Some property sellers are hit with bills from their estate agent even if the home remains unsold.

The European Consumer Centre's Ms Caroline Waters said: "We've had a number of complaints regarding the high cost of advertising and marketing charges." When a home owner puts their property on the market through a particular estate agent, a marketing and advertising campaign is usually discussed. Unfortunately, some customers do not realise the cost until the monthly or weekly bills arrive from their agent. If the house is sold, these expenses are covered by the owner's profit on the deal. Problems arise when the property is not purchased, and some home owners feel the charges are unreasonable, considering that the agent has not done their job properly.

Disgruntled customers should find out what exactly was in the agreement, said Ms Waters.

"The problem is that people haven't been fully briefed on the real cost of marketing the home. This tends to occur down the country more than in Dublin," she added.

If the home owner actually signs up to the charges, they have little recourse.

"An agreed advertising spend is a cost whether it sells or not," said Ms Waters. Many people do not agree, and demand that the auctioneer covers all or part of the expense.

Consumers may always complain directly to the company and ask it to reduce the price.

Many auctioneers receive generous discounts from newspapers and should pass these on to the consumer. Advertising for a particular home also benefits the company, as it is named in any marketing material.

Failing a resolution, consumers should contact the Irish Auctioneers and Valuers' Institute (IAVI) concerning its members' code of practice.

The IAVI can be contacted at 38 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 (Tel. 01 661 1794) or at www.iavi.ie