Accepting an offer should feel like progress. You can start thinking about your next home, your moving plans and what comes next. But while the legal work is under way, one question can linger: how committed is my buyer?
A Gazeal Reservation Agreement puts that commitment in writing. It gives you and your buyer a clear understanding of what you have agreed, what you will each do next and the protection in place as you work towards exchange.
What is a Reservation Agreement?
A Reservation Agreement is an agreement between you and your buyer, made before the exchange of contracts. You agree to reserve your property for that buyer, and both of you make a commitment to progress the sale on the terms you have agreed.
For you, that means taking the property off the market and not accepting another offer during the agreed reservation period. For your buyer, it means committing to your property and getting on with the steps needed to buy it.
The agreement includes a financial commitment backed by Gazeal, providing protection if the other party withdraws unreasonably, subject to the agreed terms.
Why it matters when you are selling
A sale is about more than an agreed price. You may be arranging your own purchase, making plans around work or family, or simply wanting to know that the weeks ahead are being taken seriously.
A Reservation Agreement gives those plans a firmer starting point:
A buyer who has made a commitment. You have a written agreement about moving forward, rather than relying only on an accepted offer.
Clear expectations on both sides. You and your buyer know what is expected during the reservation period.
A shared timetable. Both parties work towards an agreed target for exchange, with the next steps made clear.
Protection against unreasonable withdrawal. The agreed commitment has Gazeal's backing, under the terms of your agreement.
It can also help discourage unjustified last-minute attempts to reduce the agreed price, often called gazundering. That is different from discussing a genuine issue raised during the transaction. A fair agreement recognises that distinction.
Over 300,000 property sales collapse every year, that’s 1 in 3 transactions falling through.
With a 95% sale completion rate, we give you the certainty, protection, and peace of mind you deserve when selling your home.
Buyer’s Commitment Secured
No Gazundering & Price negotiations.
The Reservation Guarantee
For Sellers who want the highest level of certainty without asking the Buyer to tie up large sums of money, Gazeal’s Guarantee is the smartest and most secure way to proceed. Instead of requiring a deposit, the Buyer pays a small fee (starting from £600 inc. VAT) to guarantee a financial commitment of £2,000 (or more, if agreed), which Gazeal Guarantees. You, the Seller, match this commitment. If either party pulls out unreasonably, the innocent party is compensated.
The 3-Step Process to Secure Your Sale
Step 1: Choose Your Buyer Commitment Option
By simply telling your Agent you want commitment upfront, you can take control of your sale and secure a committed Buyer from the start. There are two powerful options for your Buyer to show commitment.
Step 2: Lock In the Buyer with Terms and Exclusivity
Once the parties have agreed on the commitment path:
You grant an exclusivity period (up to 6 months) where you agree not to market the property to others.
Both parties agree to a clear timeline and terms for reaching exchange.
The Buyer commits financially, either via the Gazeal Guarantee or a Holding Deposit.
Step 3: Gazeal Protects Your Sale to Exchange
With the agreement or deposit in place:
Exchange of contracts expected and both parties are locked-in to the terms agreed.
Breaking the agreement before exchange triggers a penalty. The defaulting party pays the agreed compensation to the innocent party.
If the defaulting party doesn’t pay, Gazeal provides a 100% guarantee that the compensation is paid to the innocent party swiftly.
All services are subject to their respective terms and conditions.
Fair terms, agreed by both parties
Fairness starts with a simple principle: your buyer is making a commitment to you, and you are making one to them.
The terms are set by you and your buyer, not chosen for one party's advantage. Before either of you signs, you can review the terms, discuss what matters to your circumstances and agree any changes together.
This is a commitment to progress the sale properly, not a promise to ignore information that emerges during the transaction. The agreement recognises justified reasons for withdrawing. Your signed terms explain how the protection applies.
Gazeal does not represent either the seller or the buyer. It backs the agreed financial commitment and administers the dispute process. Where a disagreement cannot be resolved, the agreement provides for an independent expert to consider it.
Take time to understand the terms before signing.
Trusted by 25,000+ homemovers
Gazeal is trusted by more than 25,000 homemovers. Here is what customers have shared about their Reservation Agreement experience.
I had a problem with the sale of my house when the buyer pulled out for no apparent reason. Thankfully we were covered by a Gazeal agreement and £2000 was in my bank account within a week. Highly recommend.
-Jane
I would use this service again and be a little sceptical if someone was reluctant to sign up for it.
-Andy
Why is this not the norm for the industry? I want my agent to include and discuss this with all my potential buyers.
-Stephanie
Questions sellers often ask
Is my buyer the only person making a commitment?
No. Both parties commit. Your buyer agrees to progress the purchase, and you agree to reserve the property for them and progress the sale.
Who decides how long the reservation lasts?
You and your buyer agree the period before signing. It should give you a shared timetable for reaching exchange. If an extension is needed, discuss it with your agent and the other party rather than assuming it happens automatically.
Start with a conversation with your agent
Ask your agent: “Can we use a Gazeal Reservation Agreement to secure the buyer when an offer is received?” It is a practical conversation to have when an offer is agreed, before you build your plans around the sale.
If you would like to understand the next steps, talk to Gazeal about protecting your sale.
Buying your next home too? Read Reservation Agreement to protect my property purchase for the buyer's perspective.
This guide is a general introduction. Your signed agreement sets out the terms that apply to your transaction.
