What happens when a house sale falls through?

Selling a house can feel like a rollercoaster at the best of times, but nothing derails the process quite like a sale falling through. Whether you’ve spent months waiting for the right buyer or thought you were on the final stretch with a “Sold Subject to Contract” (STC) sign in your front garden, it’s a frustrating experience. So, why do house sales fall through, and what can you do if it does happen?

What does it mean for a house to ‘fall through’?

When a house sale “falls through,” it means that the sale has collapsed before the contracts are legally exchanged or the deal is finalised. In other words, the buyer and seller have agreed on the price, maybe even got quite far into the process with surveys and mortgage applications, but for some reason, the sale won’t go on to complete.

We’ll go into the why’s in a moment, but whatever the cause, a sale falling through puts you back at square one, with your house still on the market and no sale in sight. It’s annoying (to say the least), especially if you’ve already started packing or planning your next move, but it’s unfortunately a fairly common bump in the road.

What can you do if your house sale falls through?

It can be disappointing and infuriating, but it’s not the end of the world, and you have options if your buyer pulls out. You can put the house back on the market and hope to find a new buyer. If the collapse was due to a survey issue, it’s best to fix the problem to avoid future complications.

It’s also worth reviewing the offers you received before accepting the one that fell through. Maybe another buyer is still interested? Keep in touch with your estate agent – they’ll know if there’s anyone else lined up who might be willing to step in.

Lastly, if you’re in a tight spot or just can’t face the idea of going through the whole process again, there are quicker routes to sell your house. You can get in touch with us at house Buyer Bureau and we can buy your house in as little as 7 days. We buy houses in any condition, with no chain, no delays and no hassle – read our Trustpilot reviews. You can get your no-obligation quote today.

Why do house sales fall through?

There are quite a few reasons why a house sale might fall through, some of which are beyond your control:

Your buyer has a change of heart
One of the other buyers/sellers in your chain changes their mind
Personal issues, such as illnesses or redundancies
A buyer (yours or one further down the chain) can’t secure a mortgage
Major issues are found in a survey, such as structural problems
Gazumping – when a seller accepts a higher price on their home from a new party
A buyer reducing their offer on a property last minute (also known as Gazundered)

Can a house that is sold STC fall through?

Absolutely! Just because a house is Sold Subject to Contract (Sold STC or SSTC), it doesn’t mean it’s a done deal. Even at this stage, either party can walk away without penalty. STC simply means that an offer has been accepted by the seller, but the sale is still subject to things like surveys, mortgage approvals and final contracts.

A sale can fall through at this stage for many of the same reasons mentioned earlier – issues with the buyer’s finances, a negative survey or simply a change of heart. This is why it’s so important not to get too comfortable until the contracts are signed and exchanged.

How often do houses that are sold STC fall through?

You might be surprised to learn that sold STC sales fall through more often than you’d think. Around 1 in 3 property sales in the UK end up collapsing, and a good chunk of those are sales that were STC. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but the reality is that until everything is legally binding, nothing is certain.

Do solicitors charge if a house sale falls through?

Unfortunately, yes – solicitors do charge if a house sale falls through. Their fees are based on the work they’ve already done for you, so even if the sale doesn’t complete, they’ll still expect to be paid for the work they’ve done up to that point. This might include things like conducting property searches, reviewing contracts and liaising with the other party’s solicitor.

Some solicitors may offer a “no sale, no fee” service, but this isn’t common, and even if they do, disbursements (fees paid to third parties on your behalf) will still need to be covered. It’s worth checking the terms with your solicitor early on, so you’re not hit with a surprise bill if things go south.

Do you need to sell your house fast?

If your sale has fallen through and you’re worried about time or costs piling up, we can help. Here at House Buyer Bureau, we specialise in quick house sales, offering a hassle-free alternative to the open market. Whether you’re stuck in a chain, dealing with unreliable buyers, or just need to sell fast, we can provide a cash offer for your property and complete the sale in as little as seven days.

Selling through us means you won’t have to worry about the sale falling through again, solicitor fees, or waiting months for the right buyer to come along. If you want to avoid the stress and uncertainty, get in touch, and we can buy your house so you’re free to move into your next home.

Chris

Chris has worked in property all his career, first as a successful estate agent before spotting a gap in the market for buying property directly from people looking for a simple, quick sale.

He has a passion for property and as an experienced valuer, has looked at well over 50,000 properties so far at HBB. He has extensive experience in property buying and regularly comments in the press on property matters, trends and promotes ways to simplify and speed up the selling process.

View articles by Chris