Binding promise to sign a lease

[James Green]

I realise it’s conceivable this may vary based on local law - but is anyone familiar with a prospective tenant being held liable for any amount based on an email assurance that lease terms would be acceptable/signed, then declining to sign a lease?  The landlord sent an email asking if they were prepared to commit to terms, with a lease to follow; the propspective tenant said they would be acceptable, provided that the lease was sent along shortly, and that they were no longer looking at other properties; the landlord sent the lease; the tenant then simply indicated that they had found another property.  This was still a couple of months in advance of a possible move-in date.  Many thanks.