h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

My man is/ was buying a house (in England...). He was due to sign on the 13th December (a friday). On mon 2nd December, his vendor (a friend) phoned to say that, if he (my beloved) could not sign on 13th, they had a cash buyer who would. The vendors were assured that thunderbirds were go, for the signing on the 13th. A quick call to his solicitor confirmed the fact. Just awaiting the receipts and guarantees for the reinstatement work post flooding. "No problem" he was told.
Next day Tuesday 3rd December (10 days presigning) his solicitor phoned, somewhat gobsmacked with the news.... the friend vendors had sold to the cash buyer.... 3 weeks before Christmas. Merry ing Christmas my friend! There is no redress. He now has a big solicitor's bill coming, nowhere to move to and may well be homeless from the 13th December, although his friends, that he is staying with, will not throw him out. However, this has gone on for 6 months. He wants a home to live in.
So far he hasn't been able to get anywhere to rent or buy (but that would be too late for Christmas/New Year anyway). This is the worst time of the year to try and get accommodation. I am in Scotland, 300 miles away, so a temporary move to mine would not solve the problem, except for the holidays.

Words fail me when it comes to the behaviour of his so called friends, as they have his other friends who know about this. They are horrified and disgusted. He stuck with these vendor friends for 6 months even though he could have refused to go ahead after the flooding, but he didn't. He liked the house, AND they were his friends.

Hopefully something will be sorted for him sooner rather than later. The good thing is, he lives in a small village, their behaviour will come back to them, once the word spreads. Hopefully in spades. Very big spades.

The English house buying system sucks.

That's outrageous.

Would you like me to get my mate to issue a fatwah?

Ooooooooh tempting!

However, I think the "what goes around comes around" philosophy may work here. After all it's a small place he lives in.

May I keep your tempting offer in mind for after the season of goodwill? I feel a period of calm and mature reflection would be wise.... (what?)

Followed by....

I'd better add you to the waiting list now, it's quite long already.

That's quite alright Doctor. I will await my turn. Remember the Klingon Proverb, Revenge is a dish best served cold!(Also a cooling off period will stop me doing something outrageous and unpleasant).

No news on alternative accomodation for my man yet , but word is spreading, and hopefully , someone will know of something.
Are those fatwah things of yours a popular christmas present then?

Not exactly a *Christmas* present, no...

Maybe you should have a word with U179309 - Veers Revett, Imperial Assassin. Mysterious dissolution a speciality. Tell him I sent you.

Ahhhhhhhh! A recommendation. the beat way if you want to find a reliable worker. Thank you Dr V. I'll keep it in mind