HC Deb 08 July 1987 vol 119 c142W
Mrs. Peacock

asked the Attorney-General whether he is considering some form of legally binding contracts for offers to purchase houses to prevent the current spread of the practice of gazumping.

The Attorney-General

The Law Commission's report on "Subject to Contract" agreements (Law Com. No. 65, published in 1975) concluded that legislation to impose civil or criminal liability for "gazumping" would be counter productive. The Government hope that buyers and sellers of houses and flats will give favourable consideration to the pre-contract deposit agreement recommended by the Conveyancing Standing Committee in January last.