House purchase fallen through

[benf31]

I was meant to exchange on a house purchase today and complete on Friday but instead the buyer has taken the property off the market having decided not to move afterall. I am now having to find somewhere to rent at short notice and incurring additional storage costs etc. Is there anything I can do to recoup any of my losses (solicitors fees etc.)?

[ummmm]

I don't think so...until you've signed the contract.

[welshlibranr]

doubt it!.....you hadn't completed!.......it happens sometimes, very unfair. but there it is, you can't change it!........

[Canary42]

No, afraid not - there are some b@stards about.

[Zacs-Master]

Not unless you live in Scotland. All part of life's rich tapestry, I'm afraid.

[rockyracoon]

That amount of time between exchange and completion can be a magnet for problems, at least they didn't do the dirty and ask for an extra £10000 or suchlike.

[tonywiltshire]

Under English law you unfortunately have no remedy if you were due to exchange contracts today and the seller changed his mind before exchange, as your offer would have been subject to contract. You could ask the seller nicely if they would repay your expenses but it will be up to them if they do and it is unlikely, it does happen quite frequently.

[icemaiden]

This happened to me benf31. Fell through the morning we were due to exchange. I lost the buyer of my house too. So disheartening with all the fees that have already been paid not to mention the inconvenience!

Hope you find somewhere soon.

[LoftyLottie]

Just wondering if you can actually take out an insurance to cover this likelihood?

No use to you now benf31. So sorry. Hope things work out for you.

[maggie01]

Like everyone else says, I don't think you can do anything about it but just wanted to say that it must be a nightmare when someone does that.
The house is never yours untill those contracts are signed.
I don't know how anyone can do that.