It isn't about property and power, though. It's about knowledge and power. The buyer knows there's a transaction being contemplated. The buyer knows how to contact the seller and/or their agents. The owner does not. The predominant U.S. system requires buyers to guard against known unknowns. The U.K. system requires owners to guard against unknown unknowns. It's a least-cost-avoider problem, and it has a clear answer.
Also the buyer is either a scammer or a dupe. The owner is just a victim. Either way, the buyer should clearly be held responsible and cover all costs to resolve.
