Are They allowed to do this? Discrimination? Trading Standards?

Question

We have just sold a co-ownership share (1/12th) in a Narrow boat, we sold it back to the management company ( A Private Limited Company) as we wished to buy a smaller share (1/24 th) and the company knew this before we sold the share.

Now they are saying they will not sell us another share because we had cause to complain about one of their staff. (this was a year ago) Subsequently this staff member resigned. Apparently we could have swapped to another share, but because we sold our share back to them first, with the stated intention of buying another, they now refuse to allow us to buy another. But they did not tell us they would not sell us another share if we sold the one we had.

Can they refuse to sell us another share ? Discrimination ? Trading Standards, unfair business practises/methods, etc ?

Answer 1

I think that the answer is yes they can. You cannot force someone to sell you anything. I very much doubt that it would come under the heading discrimination. The Trading Standards people are very unlikely to get involved. With expensive items like narrow Boats, Light Aircraft etc it is quite common to form a limited company as the management agent for the item. but really it is a formation of part owners being businesslike. It is not much like a normal trading company. You would probably save your self a lot of hassle by looking to buy a small share in another boat.  

Answer 2

If you own something why should you be forced to sell it to anyone?

They may be discriminating against you. Discrimination is not against the law unless it is on the grounds of race, colour, religion, cred or sexuality. They appear to be making a decision not to sell simply because they don't like you. Lots of people don't like me, that's life, get over it!

Answer 3

Yes they can, and why not. They are glad to get rid of you.

You should have had more sense.

What a pair of idiots you must now feel.

And if I had a boat I would not sell you a share either.

You sound like a pair of wingers.