To confront sellers who pulled out last minute

It’s really shitty of them. The English system is stupid for allowing this kind of behaviour, though. I prefer the Scottish and US systems (well, California, anyway).

I would fantasise about all kinds of petty retributions like slashed tires and a turd on their doorstep but then move on.

Wait till they relist it and then post a RM link to the local FB page warning people off it ( be v factual-ie seller pulled out week before exchange with no reason given). Only do this if you’ve already moved though in case the EA blacklists you.

No, gazumping is the seller either increasing the price just before exchange or accepting another higher offer ditto and expecting the first buyer to go with it. Gazundering is the buyer reducing what they are offering just before exchange.

Before exchange you have absolutely no comeback, even though you are out of pocket.

Sorry OP. Hope you can negotiate with your landlord. And can everyone who wants a law change please email their MP to ask for it. Law won’t change otherwise.

Obviously very poor behaviour but no, you absolutely can’t go round. Have you given notice yet, presumably? If so, I’d speak to the landlord, he hasn’t yet marketed the flat? I understand your frustration, we had a wild ride with our buyer recently, unreasonable demands/endless repetitive questions (literally asking the same thing via solicitors 3 times). The whole process in England is shit.

This isn't gazumping.

Isn't this what they called gazumping in old money? I thought laws had been brought out to protect people from this?

@Bellyblueboy @Meadowfinch
I guess that’s my point really. If I ever had to pull out of a sale last minute the least I would do would be to apologise and maybe offer an explanation if not too personal, or compensation if possible. Contact could be done via estate agent or solicitors if needs be. I would feel terrible about it, knowing the work and stress involved in preparing to move. I certainly wouldn’t be posting a joke on Facebook.

My DH’s company renovates old properties to sell and he does a great job at it. He now requires a 10% deposit before he will sell, particularly if the buyer wants an input on fixtures and fittings. We need an escrow system to protect both vendors and buyers.

Sorry...buyers insurance.

It makes no difference at all to your situation even if you situation even if you do find out why...you are still without a sale. Save your energy and put that back into selling. No good will come of stewing on this...you'll make yourselves ill 😢

It's shit...but you'll get through it. And take out sellers insurance. Today!

To be fair, you don't know why they have done this. They might have just changed their mind, on the other hand it could be one of any number of reasons. They might not want to give the actual reason so are being vague. I agree that the system in England is bonkers but that's the only one we have at present. Buy /selling houses is one of the most stressful life events, probably for this reason. It can go wrong until the last moment.
Sorry it's happened to you.

That's really awful. Horrible people. Maybe when they do eventually decide they want yo sell thay will be let diwn last minute too.

I hope you find an alternative place to live soon.

We had the same but our buyers pulled out.

It was utterly shit but you can't do anything other than manifest all sorts of nasty shit for them (I still do this, two years on)

First contact your landlord and explain what happened. Ask to rent on a month by month basis while the place is on the market. They should be glad of income as sales these days take forever! I know two first time cash buyers, both buying with no chain at all, and the sales still took four months for one and seven months for the other. Our system is ridiculous and needs to be overhauled.

If your landlord wants to sell can you not buy where you live?

This recently happened to a friend - in the end it went through, after the sellers extracted a further £20,000 from her.

Terrible behaviour.

Not unreasonable to want to, but unless it’s a polite letter as per a previous suggestion, resist the temptation. Let your estate agent pass on your feedback (and probably EAs will tell each other about this vendor so they’ll struggle to get favourable terms if they try and sell again).

Unless you have an unusual tenancy agreement, it won't end until you give notice or a court ends it. It automatically becomes rolling, month to month.

It would have been foolish for you to give notice before Exchange, so it shouldn't end in December. Just keep your landlord in the loop on your intentions.

Sorry this happened to you.

Is there any faint hope they will change their minds again and would you still proceed if so?
I would be asking the estate agents to ask them just in case their flakiness has caused a wobble that can be reasoned with. Some people are just not resilient and it might all have suddenly seemed too much for them (no excuse but worth asking).
Otherwise absolutely shame them via Facebook!

Sounds awful but unfortunately that's the system.

Curious to know what happens if the survey reveals problems? Is the price renegotiated?

Of course you can’t. It’s frustrating, but it’s never done until it’s done. They haven’t actually done anything wrong.

YANBU, it’s not ok. English home buying is appalling and needs updates and completely revised. Those that think this is ok are just ignorant of the better ways of selling/buying that exist. Scotland has a really good system. Not to say that stuff like this doesn’t exist but it’s much less and there are costs for the person that withdraws and the amount can vary depending on where you are in the process. A week before moving would be full costs as missives would ups have been signed already. I’m so sorry this has happened to you. May karma kick them in the ass.

In The Netherlands you have to actually transfer the 10%. Also very few reasons why you can pull out and same for the seller. It's not a perfect system but the English/Welsh one is pure unnecessary insanity.

OP the situation you were in before they pulled out sounded incredibly stressful. I feel sick for you at them pulling out.

I agree.

Op, I am so sorry, this is awful for you. Unfortunately you can do nothing about it.