Explaining The Problem Of Double Sales In Real Estate

Introduction

Following the rush in acquiring residential stands in Zimbabwe through corporations and housing schemes, many have fallen victim to double sales where a property is sold by the seller to two different purchasers to which this creates legal impediments between the rights of the purchasers with regards to attainment and transfer of title. It is therefore the sole purpose of this article to shed light over what the law dictates in relation to double sales and where to go when one is caught up in such situations.

What the law says

The position of the law with in relation to double sales is such that when ownership has not yet been legally transferred, the first purchaser who is the first to buy the property is the one who receives favour over the second purchaser by operation of the law. The second purchaser however, has an avenue to pursue the seller for damages or even compensation accruing from the conduct of the seller.