When can a buyer claim they were under undue duress?

A buyer can claim they were under undue duress when they were pressured to accept a contract. Undue duress occurs when one party is coerced or forced into an agreement against their will or better judgment, often through intimidation, threats, or excessive pressure from another party. This pressure can undermine the voluntary nature of the agreement, which is a fundamental principle of contract law.

In this context, being pressured to accept a contract means that the buyer might not have had the opportunity to make a free and informed decision. The law protects individuals from being taken advantage of in such situations, emphasizing the importance of consent in contractual agreements.

The other scenarios—accepting a higher offer, not reading the contract, or feeling uncertain about a sale—do not constitute undue duress. A higher offer might simply reflect the market conditions or the buyer's choice to pursue a better deal. Failing to read a contract does not excuse the buyer from the obligations outlined in the agreement, as individuals are generally expected to understand what they are signing. Similarly, feeling uncertain about a sale reflects a natural hesitation that does not imply coercion or pressure to act against one's will.