Vendor withdraws for no reason, house back on market

tubbyewe

Hi folks,
After waiting 4 months for vendor to find a place to move to we were told on yesterday that he was ready to complete on 9th August, a date we accepted. Today we are called by estate agent who tells us vendor has changed his mind and no longer wants to move!
Our legals and survey fee down the drain!
Then, only hours later, the property is back on the market at the original price and with the same estate agent! The offer he accepted from us was only 3 grand under asking so it can't be about money and even if it was he would have just try to get us to raise our offer.
The estate agent seemed genuinely shocked that he pulled out but didn't call me to say the house was going straight back on the market.
I know I have no comeback on the vendor who has screwed me over, I suspect he has /had no intention of moving but I can't fathom his motives.
The estate agent has no duty of care to us I know, but can I complain to some body that it is unethical for them to re-advertise the property, lose some other poor soul a grand and a half when they are aware the vendor is unlikely to complete?
Obviously I'm angry so I'd like to direct it into some positive action.
Cheers

LawAbiding

Ring the EA and say you want to make an offer......

[Deleted User]

I know its unfair to you, but no laws have been broken, no contract signed. You'd have to prove the EA knew the vendor would do this, and there's no reason to suppose they did.

Davesnave

You have no proof of anything, except that this seller decided not to sell to you at this time. They may have reasons which the agent has been instructed not to share with you, or the agent may think it's best not to discuss them, or the agent may be in the dark too.

Without proof of a malicious intention to frustrate sales, the agent should not be censured for taking further instructions from this client. If they have a standard contract, then the agent has spent money too, so has a personal interest in securing a sale asap.

Crashy_Time

tubbyewe wrote: »

Hi folks,
After waiting 4 months for vendor to find a place to move to we were told on yesterday that he was ready to complete on 9th August, a date we accepted. Today we are called by estate agent who tells us vendor has changed his mind and no longer wants to move!
Our legals and survey fee down the drain!
Then, only hours later, the property is back on the market at the original price and with the same estate agent! The offer he accepted from us was only 3 grand under asking so it can't be about money and even if it was he would have just try to get us to raise our offer.
The estate agent seemed genuinely shocked that he pulled out but didn't call me to say the house was going straight back on the market.
I know I have no comeback on the vendor who has screwed me over, I suspect he has /had no intention of moving but I can't fathom his motives.
The estate agent has no duty of care to us I know, but can I complain to some body that it is unethical for them to re-advertise the property, lose some other poor soul a grand and a half when they are aware the vendor is unlikely to complete?
Obviously I'm angry so I'd like to direct it into some positive action.
Cheers

It will be about money IMO, just run away because this person is too much drama, let them get a lower offer next time.

tubbyewe

Points all well made and well taken. I am fully aware there is no comeback on the vendor or EA for what has happened to me....what I query is the EA putting it straight back on for the same price.
Don't they have to reveal pertinent facts (consumer act 2013) including sales that didn't go through?
They have been very clear that the reason he pulled out was "He has decided not to move" so marketing the property is unethical at the least.

diggingdude

You could get a load of friends to arrange viewings which wastes everyone's time but that would be petty (I am quite petty). Nothing else you can do sadly

Crashy_Time

tubbyewe wrote: »

Points all well made and well taken. I am fully aware there is no comeback on the vendor or EA for what has happened to me....what I query is the EA putting it straight back on for the same price.
Don't they have to reveal pertinent facts (consumer act 2013) including sales that didn't go through?
They have been very clear that the reason he pulled out was "He has decided not to move" so marketing the property is unethical at the least.

Go back and offer over his asking price...then pull out at the last minute, would that make you feel better?

davidmcn

tubbyewe wrote: »

Don't they have to reveal pertinent facts (consumer act 2013) including sales that didn't go through?

They need to disclose pertinent facts about the property - that doesn't mean they need to tell anyone about previous negotiations with other potential buyers.

tubbyewe

Yes, I have considered both of the above and I imagine after another glass of wine I'll consider them again, BUT I am trying to be the grown up here.
Should not a good EA (and presumably solicitor) with a reputation to protect in a small town turn down such business?

LawAbiding

In this case it prob was out of EA's control.

Either act petty and devise some plans (I prob would)

Or forget about it and move on...