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Seller Withdrew before exchange of contracts

I was buying a property in London and the seller withdrew due to "personal circumstances" from the sale of the property. During this time I had paid for for survey, and conveyancing which is around £600 which I seems to be losing out on. Should I take them to small claims court even though we are not in Scotland and they can withdraw.

Comments

  • denboy1
    denboy1 Posts: 41 Forumite
    think you can pull out at any time up to the exchange of contracts,but once exchanged,i think they have a legal obligation to sell.

    going through same thing myself at the moment and i make you right about the survey etc.

    if someone pulls out,that money has been lost. its a farce really.
  • Bufger
    Bufger Posts: 1,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Debt-free and Proud!
    you wont get it back, so no in short.

    Its something you need to be prepared for before buying a house. I expected it at some point so i had saved an extra 1000 beforehand just incase. It never did happen in the end so the 1000 went on buying stuff for the house instead :)
    MFW - <£90k
    All other debts cleared thanks to the knowledge gained from this wonderful website and its users!
  • david29dpo
    david29dpo Posts: 3,986 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    100% no. Thats the English system aim afraid.
  • Astara
    Astara Posts: 132 Forumite
    Try easier2move for your next purchase as they cover you if the seller pulls out but do check what their protection offers.
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