Estate agent saying we have to sign a contract preventing us pulling out of sale

[Howtonamechange]

Going to view a house this weekend.
EA very arsey on the phone. Says we have to sign a contract preventing us pulling out of the sale if we decide to proceed.

Is this a thing?
Is it legally binding?

I don't remember anything of the sort when buying our home 6y ago.

Thanks.

• this is not a debate on the ethics of pulling out of a house sale at the last minute

Sounds like estate agent bullshit. We once got told we couldn't view a property unless we agreed to a meeting with EAs in house mortgage advisor first (despite the fact we already had a decision in principle). We just said no thanks we don't want to view the house then and they back pedalled.

What is this modern auction they speak of ??

I would assume it's one of these modern auction things as well. It's nothing like a proper auction where various people can bid on it, it's something where the buyer has to pay the sellers fees, including the EA, and has to give a deposit for those fees first. Buyer beware is a very apt phrase for this type of auction imo. I refused to look at any when I was house hunting and there were loads listed on Rightmove.

We are selling our house and our contract is tied in so that we cannot pull out of the sale for any reason (really regret it, our buyer isn’t tied in though) but I’ve not heard of it when purchasing a house. I wouldn’t purchase a house with that clause because you could end up having a terrible survey back and not even be able to offer a lower price as a result.

It is normal in commercial purchases and leases but not in residential. Just refuse.

Plausibly it may be a new young estate agent who doesn't understand exchange and completion properly 🤷‍♂️

I would laugh at them and point out that you haven't even viewed the property and won't be signing anything?!

Not legally binding unless both sides have signed and money has changed hands

Cant imagine any "contract" like that would be enforcable in law as the contract as you describe does not sound "fair" to both parties, Sounds like an EA scam.