Is Gazumping Legal? Unfortunately, gazumping is legal in England and Wales. This is because an agreement to buy or sell a property is not legally binding until the contracts are written and exchanged. Until this exchange occurs, the 2 parties cannot be held to a previous verbal agreement.

Is gazumping illegal in England?

Is gazumping legal? As unfair as it might feel when you're on the receiving end, the truth is that gazumping is a perfectly legal aspect of the property-buying process in England and Wales.

Do estate agents allow gazumping?

There have been claims that estate agents – who earn a percentage of the sold price – have been known to encourage gazumping. But it's unlikely to be intentional. Even after the seller has accepted an offer from one buyer, the estate agent is legally obliged to pass on any offer they receive.