Anyone else affected by Purplebricks removing “list until sold” promise?

seekingsolution

I originally listed my property (in 2023) with Purplebricks because they advertised that once you pay their fee, your property stays on the market until it sells, with no time limit.

That flexibility was a key reason I chose them. I didn’t expect to have to relist or repay if my plans changed.

Now they’re telling me the listing only lasts 12 months, and I’d have to pay again to relist. I only signed a digital contract and was never provided with a copy of the full terms. Nothing at the time indicated a 12-month limit.

It feels like they’ve changed the terms since I signed up — possibly after they were taken over by Strike — and I’m wondering if others are in the same position.

Has anyone successfully escalated this to the Property Ombudsman or Trading Standards? Would be interested in connecting with others have the same issue

MeteredOut

You say "It feels like they’ve changed the terms since I signed up". Have they?

Do the T&Cs now state this 12 month limit? 

You undoubtedly were provided with the T&Cs when you signed up (you will have signed/ticked a box to say you agreed with them) but it looks like you did not keep a copy of them. Have you asked PB for a copy of the T&Cs you did agree to? eg, does it contain a variation of terms clause.

But if the T&Cs you signed did promise "list until sold", then I'd certainly be expecting them to honour that.

silvercar

This is now on their website:

https://www.purplebricks.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/service-agreement-2025-06-02-0900

Key question is whether the previous terms allowed them to update the terms.

eddddy

Based on their URL names, these look their T&Cs from 2022, 2023, and 2024...

https://www.purplebricks.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/service-agreement-2022-05-19-1032
https://www.purplebricks.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/service-agreement-2023-08-07-0653
https://www.purplebricks.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/service-agreement-2024-04-30-1126

In 2022 and 2023, they seem to offer an "Advertisement Period" of 12 months - reducing to 6 months in 2024.

I think they offered "Market until sold" at some stage before then - and some 'out-of-date' websites still mention that.


So are you sure you saw "market until sold" in their own t&cs, or did you maybe see it mentioned on another website, which might have been out of date?

Herzlos

Given PB haven't sold it for you yet and have a terrible reputation, then I'd be cutting losses here, not renewing the contract, and going to a reputable EA who'll take a percentage of the sale once it happens. 

seekingsolution

Thanks for your comments.

We have signed a digital contract and not provided with any copy of signed contract afterwards.

It was explicitly mentioned by the sales representative that our property will be kept in the market until sold, also allowed a market break without additional fees.

MeteredOut

seekingsolution said:

Thanks for your comments.

We have signed a digital contract and not provided with any copy of signed contract afterwards.

It was explicitly mentioned by the sales representative that our property will be kept in the market until sold, also allowed a market break without additional fees.

Unless you kept a copy of what you signed, or can prove that the T&Cs on the date you signed did mention the clause, or can prove what the sales rep said (which will have been anything to get them their commissions) then you're going to find it difficult here.

Have you asked PB for a copy of the T&Cs you did sign?

seekingsolution

MeteredOut said:

seekingsolution said:

Thanks for your comments.

We have signed a digital contract and not provided with any copy of signed contract afterwards.

It was explicitly mentioned by the sales representative that our property will be kept in the market until sold, also allowed a market break without additional fees.

Unless you kept a copy of what you signed, or can prove that the T&Cs on the date you signed did mention the clause, or can prove what the sales rep said (which will have been anything to get them their commissions) then you're going to find it difficult here.

Have you asked PB for a copy of the T&Cs you did sign?

Yes, but they sent one with later dates, not the one from starting date. 

We did not sign any 12 months contract. Nothing mentioned like that while signing.

MeteredOut

seekingsolution said:

MeteredOut said:

seekingsolution said:

Thanks for your comments.

We have signed a digital contract and not provided with any copy of signed contract afterwards.

It was explicitly mentioned by the sales representative that our property will be kept in the market until sold, also allowed a market break without additional fees.

Unless you kept a copy of what you signed, or can prove that the T&Cs on the date you signed did mention the clause, or can prove what the sales rep said (which will have been anything to get them their commissions) then you're going to find it difficult here.

Have you asked PB for a copy of the T&Cs you did sign?

Yes, but they sent one with later dates, not the one from starting date. 

We did not sign any 12 months contract. Nothing mentioned like that while signing.

But you need to be able to prove it. Keep asking for a copy of the contract you signed.

If they don't provide it, get a complaint lodged and start preparing to escalate it to the Property Ombudsman 

https://www.purplebricks.co.uk/terms-and-conditions/complaints-procedure

seekingsolution

They have an explanation for a service term "advertisement period" as 12 months in that.