Ex Keeps Refusing House Offers

[Matilda46]

Hi,
I need some advice as I'm not sure where I stand or what I can do.

Me and the ex have been apart for 2 years and our house has been up for sale for nearly a year. The first battle was getting him to actually list the house - hence the gap. I had to move out of the property due to domestic abuse and rent somewhere of my own.

Since the house has been up for sale we've had 3 offers and the ex has refused all of them. The ex wants all his money out the house plus his equity - to speed up the process I've said I'll walk away with nothing to get it sold quick. We had to lower the house price due to the market and there was no way we'd get both of our money out.
Even with this he's being awkward - I've now resulted to saying I'm not paying the mortgage - I've got nothing to lose and I know he won't risk losing his money by not paying it. I can't afford it now anyway as I'm renting and I'm going through redundancy

I've been more than reasonable with everything but now I'm at my wits end. I can't afford solicitors (I've looked into this) and as he's 'technically' not refusing to sell I don't even know where I stand.

I feel so trapped - I'd love to buy my own place but I can't as my name is still on the mortgage. He's also refusing to take me off or buy me out - even though I've asked for nothing in return.

Can anyone help with any other ideas?

the offers…. how much lower than asking?

are you trying to do with without spending on a solicitor? for this kind of person, I would definitely engage a sol

is the house the only asset?
children?

See a solicitor and tell them about domestic abuse and I will keep fingers crossed you get a better one than I did. You might get legal aid.

Ex partner not husband I assume?

Why walk away with nothing from the sale?

You can't afford not to use a solicitor.

Instruct a solicitor. They can threaten to apply to court for an order for sale with him paying the legal costs. If he still refuses to sell it can be taken out of his hands by the courts and he will lose control of the process.

Solicitors are quoting £30,000 and I don't have that kind of money.
I'm walking away with nothing because otherwise it'll drag on longer than needed - I can't move on with my life until it's sold.

You can get legal aid to help with the fees if you had to leave due to DV. It sounds like this is his way of carrying on the control.

https://childlawadvice.org.uk/information-pages/legal-aid-if-you-have-been-a-victim-of-domestic-abuse-or-violence/

You need to take 50% of the equity - if only to pay your legal fees. £30k sounds a lot in legal fees, I am sure my whole divorce was less than that.
Is he in the house? If so there is no incentive for him to agree. And he may have unrealistic expectation.

Surely he’s pulling this for this move. He’s hoping you sign over to him without asking for a penny.

if your willing to walk away with nothing sign it over to him and walk away.

if you’re not- represent yourself in court. It can be done.

two shit choices but that’s where your at

Unfortunately you need legal advice as you need to jointly agree a selling price you're happy with. That said, £30K seems extortionate, you can probably find a family lawyer that can represent you both if you can agree on most of the divorce aspects. It's what i did with my ex, total cost for divorce, remortgaging our house for me, buying her one, and selling a jointly owned rental was circa £7,5k, albeit 5 years ago!

Multiple solicitors are quoting you £30k? For what scope of services?

How much equity is in the house?

Make sure you have a legally binding financial agreement otherwise he can come back any time in the future to get some of any assets you have, including pension.
Hope you get sorted out. Good luck.

You can ask the solicitors to do some letters to him requesting he agree a sale at x price otherwise you will take him to court. The figures quoted are probably worse case scenario if you went to court and had to pay for solicitor, barrister etc. afew stern letters may be enough to kick his arse into gear and focus his mind.