How to be reimbursed for expenditure incurred during the purchase of property when the vendor pulls out?

Question

I have recently attempted to purchase a property in the UK and incurred expenses of £1400 on the basis that the vendor stated in writing that a quick sale was required only to back out of the deal at the last minute leaving me with these out of pocket expenses.
In a previous reply a lady from the states suggested applying specific performance through a property lawyer, I think due to our system where everything must be in place and all expendature is incurred before the contracts are signed this would not apply.
Has anyone been in this situation and taken the vendor to court to reclaim lost purchase expenses in circumstances where the vendor pulls out of the deal without explanation and justification

Answer 1

I seemed to remember that a couple of years ago, legislation was put into force which allowed any person to reclaim lost expenditure due to gazumping. You should ask your estate agent and solicitor about this.

Answer 2

sorry but there is not a lot you can do...this happened to us 4 days before a move and I was 6 months pregnant..(and packed) .we couldn't do anything as the law doesn't protect you.Some estate agents protect there customers when selling through a scheme but they would have told you if you were covered and if they haven't mentioned it your not!the court cost would be greater than your current losses so I wouldn't advise you to go down that route.There needs to be a change in the law to protect both buyers and sellers so this cant happen.

Answer 3

Unfortunatly that is the risk that we all take when purchasing property.
If the vendor has another buyer you could always offer to sell the searches onto the new buyer.

Answer 4

Sadly you have very little chance of getting your money back. As you say in England practically all of your costs are accumulated prior to any legal agreement so if the sale falls through you have nothing legal to support you. Ridiculous.