vendor still has a set of keys

clivoclivo

I hope someone on MSE could help me with the following:

On completion on my house purchase I received 2 sets of keys and was informed by the estate agent that the vendor still has a 3rd set which he will post to them. The estate agent would then contact me to collect them. Fair enough I though, but after calling the estate agents a couple times I was told that the vendor still hasn;t posted these keys. It's now just over 2 months since the day of completion.
I've heard that I should now be entitled to get my lock changed at the expense of the vendor. Is this correct?

poppysarah

TBH I'd have changed the locks anyway ... You never know what rogues have been given in the past - even nice people have dodgy relatives.

We changed them when we moved here - peace of mind guaranteed for a few quid.

If you were promised a set the vendor still had then I'd be asking questions as to why you'd not got them. You'd have to consult a solicitor - perhaps the one who did the conveyancing could answer your question for you.

shaven-monkey

You'll probably end up spending more on contacting the estate agent and chasing down this lost set of keys than it would cost to replace the locks. Since the estate agent has received their fee, they have no reason to help you out.

You just bought a house, replacing all locks shouldn't cost more than £100.

Mutton_Geoff

Agreed, I've never left the original locks on any property I've bought. It's the first job to do when you walk through the door.

Yale & Euro barrels are very straightforward to change.

PasturesNew

When I bought my last house the first thing I did was change the locks. Over the years you've no idea who has had their hands on a set. Family, kids, exes of kids. All sorts.

Jorgan_2

Agree with the others on changing the locks. Legge appear to be a tough lock, locksmith broke three drill bits trying to drill one on a repo last week. Not the first time I've seen them defeat drill bits either.

Mutton_Geoff

Legge appear to be a tough lock

Yale are like soft brass to drill through. The lock barrel is tough, but if you know where to drill two holes, you can pop a Yale out in a few seconds :cool:

Jorgan_2

Mutton_Geoff wrote: »

Legge appear to be a tough lock

Yale are like soft brass to drill through. The lock barrel is tough, but if you know where to drill two holes, you can pop a Yale out in a few seconds :cool:

Yep, seen it done often enough. It really is scarey how easy some locks are to pop.

space_rider

I`d change locks too. I have 3 children old enough to have keys and I also have a set with a friend who lives near to my childrens school and also a relative. Mine are Legge!

clivoclivo

Hi,
thanks for these!
I will replace the locks, but am currently holding off doing that as I have too many people (builders and decorators) in and out the flat. Once all the work is done I will replace them. Just annoyed with the afterservice of the agent or is it the vendor who can't be bothered? Don't know.

good advice on the Legge lock- I know which one to get now!

thank you all!

Sharon87

Definetely change the locks!

My landlady never changed the locks when we moved in and we had things nicked from the house (inlcuding my £160 ipod :mad:)