Being sued by buyer for failed sale.

Leonberger

Could anyone better with words than me help me write a letter back to them?
Should I send a solicitors letter? 
Or should I just ignore? 

I understand that it was awful for them but we did not see corona and the impact of it on our lives in advance.
If we had moved we wouldn’t have been still floating and I had to put my family first.

Comms69

Sure:

"Dear X,

____ Off

Kind regards

Leonberger"

Leonberger

Comms69 said:

Sure:

"Dear X,

____ Off

Kind regards

Leonberger"

 I wish I had the balls to do this 😂

I just don’t want to end up paying it in court plus costs but thankfully seems like she’s trying it on!

Hannimal

Leonberger said:

Could anyone better with words than me help me write a letter back to them?
Should I send a solicitors letter? 
Or should I just ignore? 

I understand that it was awful for them but we did not see corona and the impact of it on our lives in advance.
If we had moved we wouldn’t have been still floating and I had to put my family first.

Maybe write that. That you are empathetic that they lost money and you regret this. However, not your problem and you don't care enough to contribute to the costs that have incurred to them because of your actions. 

You're not liable, I would write to them and keep copy of any correspondence, but I would not worry about it. 

Hannimal

Leonberger said:

I just don’t want to end up paying it in court plus costs but thankfully seems like she’s trying it on!

I don't think this is a realistic scenario. The financial cost of you pulling out is solely on the buyer. I'm sure there's been some emotional cost to you as well. Clearly not enough to do what is fair (but not required of you) and contribute to the loss of money you've incurred on someone else. Personally, I'd write to them that I wasn't going to contribute and then I'd ignore the rest unless you were actually summoned to courts - which you will not be for a mere £600 that the buyers know they won't legally get out of you.

greatcrested

* Have you actually paid the £180 for their survey? If not, DON'T.

* in your own words it was a 'goodwill gesture'. Clearly there is no longer any goodwill, so there's no need for the gesture

* Can you remember the exact words of the letter you sent? Was there any mention of other costs or costs in general....?

* Not that it makes a difference. Until Exchange of Contracts either side can pull out for any, or no, reason. That's why it's called 'exchanging' the 'Contract''!

* I would not write to them. a) that just continues the dialogue. Ignore them completely. In the street? walk away. On the phone? Hang up b) there is always a risk you say/write something implying they are right - it's easy to say the wrong thing.....

* they will not go to court. It's bluff, intended to scare you into paying them

* if they do go to court, they will lose.

pinkteapot

It'll probably cost you less than £180 to have your solicitor write them a letter that basically says what Comms69 said. 

greatcrested

pinkteapot said:

It'll probably cost you less than £180 to have your solicitor write them a letter that basically says what Comms69 said. 

Even if it only costs £100, or £50 (for an arrticled clerk not a solicitor) it's pointless wasted money. There is no need fo a response, either by the OP, or his solicitor.

pinkteapot

greatcrested said:

pinkteapot said:

It'll probably cost you less than £180 to have your solicitor write them a letter that basically says what Comms69 said. 

Even if it only costs £100, or £50 (for an arrticled clerk not a solicitor) it's pointless wasted money. There is no need fo a response, either by the OP, or his solicitor.

I agree completely, but if they're making OP uncomfortable it's a relatively small amount to hopefully make them shut up and leave them alone (if OP doesn't want to report to the police as harassment). 

saajan_12

Certainly don't start spending money yourself on solicitors. There's nothing they can say (or not say) that you can't, as its a pretty simple case. 
Either just ignore, or send a short note saying the below, and then don't get into any further back&forth. 
Dear ExBuyer,
I too am disappointed we could not proceed with the sale. However please note, as we had not yet exchanged contracts, we were under no obligation to proceed. Any costs are therefore not our responsibility. My note on <date> was as a voluntary gesture of goodwill, but not something we owe you.
I wish you well. 
Leonberger