Scenario:
- Alan advertises a room to rent in a joint tenancy property in which they are lead tenant
- Zoe views the room and verbally expresses an interest in renting it
- Alan passes on Zoe's contact details to the estate agent
- The estate agent contacts Zoe by email, providing a draft contract and asking for further information in order to complete her details
- Zoe provides the requested details, again by email
- The contract is drawn up and the estate agents inform both Alan and Zoe that it is ready to be signed
- A week later (having not yet signed), Zoe informs the estate agent that she no longer wants to take the room
Question:
In UK law, is it possible that the email correspondence between Zoe and the estate agent would provide strong enough evidence of intention for Zoe to be held liable for costs incurred by Alan and/or the landlord of the property as a result of her late withdrawal?
So far I have found guidance which states that a verbal agreement is rarely considered binding with respect to tenancy agreements, but no clear information about written agreement prior to signing or liability in such a circumstance.