House deposit

My partner is in hospital critically ill with covid yet the estate agent will not give us back our deposit on the house we were due to purchase even though we cannot sign any contracts with hubby in such a bad way. I am horrified they would act in this way. Where is compassion when I am suffering so.

It is called greed how far were you into the purchase

We were due to complete yesterday but my hubby is critically ill and could not sign anything. The lawyers are being very good. I want to name and shame the agent but I will wait maybe they will feel bad.

Yes, if they don't comply then do name and shame them. I am so sorry for what you are going through. I hope your husband recovers and you can both enjoy the rest of your lives together

Tell them youll name and shame them them maybe they’ll cough up. There is a Facebook group called Costa Blanca Named and Shamed set up for that purpose as well as here and other groups

I can’t see how an Estate Agent can be named and shamed when the 10% deposit belongs to the vendor, after all, the vendor, themselves, might be losing their deposit if they were moving too.

I know it seems unkind but sometimes legalities can be cruel.

It was a holiday home and I don’t even believe the seller knows anything about this. The estate agent will not give us the sellers address even. When my husband is in hospital in a coma this is the last thing I need.

Firstly I sincerely hope your husband recovers and you both get over this traumatic time. With regard to your purchase predicament I agree with Glassfull - at this stage of the buying process it is really out of the Estate Agents hands. What advice has your solicitor given you? Your solicitor would certainly have the vendors details for direct contact. Also it looks like you are withdrawing completely from buying and not simply delaying the purchase. Business is hard enough in these trying times without been named/shamed for something out of your control.

Deposits should always go between solicitors, Estate agents should NEVER be allowed to get their hands on that money, but they do so that they can take out their fees even if the sale falls through, although I must say not all agents are crooks.

This one is.