House purchase fell through. I want seller to pay my legal costs

[robusttoday]

We were buying a house, and we were quite near exchange.
Then, out of the blue, the seller decided not to sell.
I've incurred costs. AIBU to expect the seller to re-imburse my costs.
I think I'm probably entitled .....?

[Snoopysimaginaryfriend]

I don't think you're entitled to anything until after exchange. I could be wrong though

[MatildaTheCat]

I fear not but ask your solicitor. Until the contracts are exchanged there is no contract.

[PotteringAlong]

I don't think you're entitled to anything. You could argue that any costs incurred (survey etc) were your own choice.

[JustMumNowNotMe]

Unless you'd exchanged contracts they are perfectly entitled to pull out and any costs will have to be covered by you I'm afraid. Its shit but it happens.

[witsender]

Until exchange there is no commitment. Likewise you could pull out at any point incurring them costs.

[SayNoToCarrots]

For future reference, you can get insurance against this for around £50.

[Alicia555]

Sorry op I know it's shitty but I don't think you can claim any of the costs back.

[Waltermittythesequel]

Entitled why?

You haven't entered into a contract with them.

[weeblueberry]

What have you incurred costs on?

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Nothing due unless you've exchanged.

Vendors or purchasers legally able to pull out without giving a reason.

[Whatthefudger]

You can ask them, they're not legally bound to do it, but some sellers will offer costs as a good will gesture

[WellErrr]

^what they all said.

Crap though. Sorry.

[HollyJollyDillydolly]

Unfortunately it happens, it has happened to us twice. If you haven't exchanged contracts then there's nothing you can do.

[HeyCat]

No, you're not entitled to anything. Seller is fully entitled to pull out (as is buyer) until exchange of contracts.

One of the many flaws in the English property system.

[SantasLittleMonkeyButler]

Sorry, but no. Entitled to nothing until contracts have been exchanged.

If you had changed your minds or been unable to secure the mortgage offer you wanted (for example), would you expect to be paying all of the Vendor's costs to date?

[youaredeluded]

Dream on!

[ThePants999]

Absolutely zero chance of recovering anything. Sorry.

[Creampastry]

Of course you're not entitled. It's a risk you take and only after you exchange can you recover costs. It's crap but that's the house moving business.

[ItsNotRocketScienceThough]

Insurance - who from?

[IppyDippyTippy]

The same thing happened to me last year - the seller pulled out less than 10 hours before exchange - cost me thousands.

Nothing you can do I'm afraid.

[Scribblegirl]

hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-buying/homebuyer-protection-insurance/

Wow, carrots - genuinely never knew such a thing existed! Thanks!

[SurferRona]

I call reverse.....

[PoorYorick]

As PPs have said, if you hadn't exchanged then no, seller can pull out. Hence gazumping and gazundering. It's awful, our system sucks bollocks. It's such a terrible problem, I would actually vote Tory if they would solve it.

[PoorYorick]

If it's a reverse, it's the most pointless one ever. This is a simple point of law, no shades of grey, and presumably the seller knows the answer or they wouldn't have pulled out.