Missing keys to house, any advice please

loujay_2

We are buying a repossession and have viewed it twice, each time having to negotiate a gate and enter via the back door. When I asked the lady showing us round she said that was the only key they had. We have since asked for the keys to the garage, front door etc and were told they (EA) will contact the building society selling the property. Didnt really give this much until last night as we havent exchanged yet but we realised that we wouldnt be able to get our furniture in through the back door and so rang EA again. They said they had noted the file and will follow it up. Just looked on their website and on the picture the front door and gate is open so they must have had the keys at some point. We now think maybe they have misplaced them and are blaming it on the building society?
We will be getting all the locks changed on the advice of our sol but would need the keys to initially move in. Where do you think we stand. Surely they cant just give us one key?

ginger_nuts

loujay wrote:

We are buying a repossession and have viewed it twice, each time having to negotiate a gate and enter via the back door. When I asked the lady showing us round she said that was the only key they had. We have since asked for the keys to the garage, front door etc and were told they (EA) will contact the building society selling the property. Didnt really give this much until last night as we havent exchanged yet but we realised that we wouldnt be able to get our furniture in through the back door and so rang EA again. They said they had noted the file and will follow it up. Just looked on their website and on the picture the front door and gate is open so they must have had the keys at some point. We now think maybe they have misplaced them and are blaming it on the building society?
We will be getting all the locks changed on the advice of our sol but would need the keys to initially move in. Where do you think we stand. Surely they cant just give us one key?

go back to EA and tell them you have looked at there website and it clearly shows the front door and gate open so they must have had the keys . However if they are lost I think they will say sorry ,to bad ,make your own arrangments . If you dont get the keys then arrange for a locksmith to change the locks the morning you are moving .I know it is easier to change the locks when you have the keys but a locksmith can do it either way .

barnabee

'Sold as Seen' rings a bell here. Anyone buying a house should always make provision for having all door locks changed on completion regardless of how many keys are available. Make sure you arrange for new locks to be fitted from the day you move your furniture in and your insurance assumes liability.

Debt_Free_Chick

loujay wrote:

We will be getting all the locks changed on the advice of our sol but would need the keys to initially move in. Where do you think we stand. Surely they cant just give us one key?

Get the solicitors to agree that once you exchange, you can get a locksmith out to change the locks. This can be done before you complete so you will have new locks, with keys, ready for when you move in.

Personally, changing the locks is the first thing I do whenever I move. Of course you may trust the vendors - but you have no idea who might have been given a spare key over the years! :eek:

Anyway, get the locks changed between exchange & completion

loujay_2

Thanks for that, cant you tell I have never sold and bought before. We bought our present house of an old couple, were FTB, very young and never gave it a second thought. I will ask the solicitor to sort it out.