Letter: Gazumping: House purchasers cannot be completely protected

Sir: As a partner of an international firm of estate agents, and presently in the process of moving, I read with interest the legal case against gazumping (report, 24 July).

It must be right when it is said that the first contact with the law for many people is when buying or selling a house. It is bewildering why this is so adversarial in nature and why, if the Law Society wishes to overhaul its own house, then the method of selling property is not changed and simplified.

Surely most people believe that if an offer is accepted, it should be binding on both parties. Perhaps the drop in abortive conveyancing fees may have some bearing on this vested interest?

Yours sincerely,

ANDREW ROME

London, SW18

29 July