No back door keys for house I've just bought!!

Colliewobble_2

Hi,

I'm now slowly moving in to my first home. Sadly I've discovered that none of the keys I received fit the PVCu back door.

I've had a quote from a d/g firm of around £120 to replace the locks (it's expensive as they would have to barrel out the old lock to open door before they can fit the new one).

The EA has spoken to my vendor who says he has no further keys for the property. It had been rented out prior to my buying it, and I was just handed a big keyring with ten keys on it none of which fit any of the doors in the house. The one key that fits was the one given to me by the EA, which they had for viewings. I'm obviously fairly convinced that I have received keys for one of the vendor's other rented properties!!

EA has suggested I call my solicitor, but short of being charged for a letter to be sent to vendor's solicitor who will say the same as the estate agent ("no keys, sorry!") what can the letter do?

Would I just be better biting the bullet and getting locks drilled out or can the solicitor demand the vendor pays?

Many thanks,

CW

theartfullodger

Contact local locksmiths & see what they'd charge - but explain this is not an "urgent" call (ie you ain't locked out of your 'ome)..

KeepYourChinUp_2

Colliewobble wrote: »

Hi,

I'm now slowly moving in to my first home. Sadly I've discovered that none of the keys I received fit the PVCu back door.

I've had a quote from a d/g firm of around £120 to replace the locks (it's expensive as they would have to barrel out the old lock to open door before they can fit the new one).

The EA has spoken to my vendor who says he has no further keys for the property. It had been rented out prior to my buying it, and I was just handed a big keyring with ten keys on it none of which fit any of the doors in the house. The one key that fits was the one given to me by the EA, which they had for viewings. I'm obviously fairly convinced that I have received keys for one of the vendor's other rented properties!!

EA has suggested I call my solicitor, but short of being charged for a letter to be sent to vendor's solicitor who will say the same as the estate agent ("no keys, sorry!") what can the letter do?

Would I just be better biting the bullet and getting locks drilled out or can the solicitor demand the vendor pays?

Many thanks,

CW

I would change ALL the locks if I were in your position you have no idea who might still have keys.

Congrats on your new home :beer:

Oh and use a locksmith like lodger says not a DG firm. the locksmith will do a better job

richardginger

Very common problem, once the keys have been handed over and you have gained access to the property, the responsibility of the EA ceases. For your own peace of mind, best to change all the major locks but shop around !

theartfullodger

Yup, best advice: Get a locksmith round and change ALL the locks, ideally for locks with a common key... (so one key fits all locks...). These locks usually need ordering specially

Colliewobble_2

Great!

Thanks for the prompt advice...another thing to add to the growing 'things to spend money on' list:rotfl:

Thanks again!!

theartfullodger

Yup, there's always always always things you didn't think of.. Congrats on the new home!!

poppysarah

You could drill out the lock and replace it, but it's worth asking a locksmith how much it'll cost.
A new barrel is not dear and it's just the time it'll take to do it then.

g_attrill

If it's a Eurolock (metal cylinder in a keyhole shape) then they can be opened easily by a decent locksmith, either with a bump key or a picking tool - drilling is the lazy solution for a company who wants to make a few extra £££. Also if the lock stands proud of the door then they can often be snapped and pulled out using a mole grip.

A new lock barrel is about £10, or £30 for one that is more difficult to pick or snap

theartfullodger

Also if the lock stands proud of the door then they can often be snapped and pulled out using a mole grip.

So, not much point having them then?? Burglars must love 'em...!!

Wonder why nobody has done that in any of the 3 houses I know with euro locks...

g_attrill

theartfullodger wrote: »

So, not much point having them then?? Burglars must love 'em...!!

Wonder why nobody has done that in any of the 3 houses I know with euro locks...

If the lock is sized correctly then snapping will be difficult, although this video demonstrates that the thief can just rip off the handle surround to get leverage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Haaf46f9hf4

When I moved into this place I replaced mine with "CISA Astral S" locks, which have a laminated core and pins going the other way, so they are a little more secure, but £30 each!