Every buyer who agrees a purchase with Bettermove must pay a £1,000 exclusivity deposit before the sale proceeds. This isn’t a formality, it’s a meaningful financial commitment that filters out time-wasters and gives you the security of knowing your buyer is serious before you take your property off the market.
What does the deposit mean for you?
Once an offer is agreed and the exclusivity agreement is signed, you have a buyer who has put money on the table. They can’t walk away without consequence. During the exclusivity period, Bettermove will not negotiate with or accept offers from any other buyer, your sale is protected, and you can give your solicitor the go-ahead with confidence.
What does your buyer commit to?
By paying the deposit, the buyer formally commits to instructing their solicitor promptly, taking all reasonable steps to exchange within the agreed period, and keeping Bettermove updated throughout. They know that failure to exchange without good reason means forfeiting their £1,000, so they are incentivised to move quickly and communicate clearly.
What do you commit to during the exclusivity period?
In return, you agree not to negotiate with or accept offers from any other buyer during the exclusivity period, and to allow the buyer’s surveyor access and provide necessary documents to your solicitor promptly. These are straightforward obligations, and they’re what gives the buyer the confidence to commit.
When is the deposit returned to the buyer?
If you withdraw from the transaction, or if the purchase cannot proceed due to serious survey issues outside the buyer’s control, the deposit is returned to them in full. If the sale completes, the deposit is refunded to the buyer within 5 business days. If the buyer fails to exchange within the agreed period without good reason, you are protected, the deposit is forfeited.
“Knowing the buyer had paid a deposit made all the difference. I stopped worrying about them pulling out and just got on with packing.”
Sarah M., seller, West Yorkshire
How the process works
Once your offer is agreed, Bettermove sends the exclusivity agreement to both parties. The buyer pays the £1,000 deposit on signing. The legal process starts immediately. The whole setup takes less than an hour, and from that point, you have a committed buyer working to exchange as quickly as possible.
Ready to take the next step?
Speak to the Bettermove team for free, personalised advice. No obligation, no pressure.