Paying a deposit to secure property

[mickeyg]

If A pays a cash deposit to B on the understanding that it is to secure a particular property what legal standing, if any, would this have if B now wishes to sell said property to someone else. A also refuses refund of the deposit.
Can A get an injunction to prevent B selling to anyone else albeit no contract has been signed??

 

[sheena1]

If there are no signed contracts in place the deposit is fully refundable and B remains free to sell it a) to someone else b)for a higher price. A is entitled to refund of the deposit but cannot insist on enforcing the contract if they refuse to accept the refund.

 

[mickeyg]

Thanks Sheena for response. Do you know if this is also the case in the UK. I heard that in the UK it is standard practice to give a cash deposit and that it may have legal implications.

Thanx