We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
Got the house but not all the keys
pledgeX
Posts: 527 Forumite
A few weeks ago we bought a house (hooray!), but we did not receive the garage or shed keys (boo!).
The shed was open so we just bought a new lock for it, but the garage is locked so we have no entry method and can't change the lock.
We've queried with the EA and our solicitor and it turns out the seller 'lost' her keys. As completion has already been and gone, can we do anything about it, or have we just got to accept it and move on? Solicitor is pretty hopeless and doesn't seem to care as she already has her money.
If this was an isolated case it'd be fine, but it's not. The seller has been a pain from day one and clearly didn't want to move. We've already spent several hundred pounds on work/checks that wouldn't have needed to be done if the seller had her head screwed on but this is really bugging me!
The shed was open so we just bought a new lock for it, but the garage is locked so we have no entry method and can't change the lock.
We've queried with the EA and our solicitor and it turns out the seller 'lost' her keys. As completion has already been and gone, can we do anything about it, or have we just got to accept it and move on? Solicitor is pretty hopeless and doesn't seem to care as she already has her money.
If this was an isolated case it'd be fine, but it's not. The seller has been a pain from day one and clearly didn't want to move. We've already spent several hundred pounds on work/checks that wouldn't have needed to be done if the seller had her head screwed on but this is really bugging me!
0
Comments
-
I think if the seller has been such an intransigent idiot, I'd just hire a locksmith and be glad I didn't have to deal with him/her anymore. Legally, you may be have a case to reclaim costs if keys aren't provided, but that could well drag out and cost you money. Paying up now and moving onwards may be the better and easier option.0
-
A few weeks ago we bought a house (hooray!), but we did not receive the garage or shed keys (boo!).
The shed was open so we just bought a new lock for it, but the garage is locked so we have no entry method and can't change the lock.
We've queried with the EA and our solicitor and it turns out the seller 'lost' her keys. As completion has already been and gone, can we do anything about it, or have we just got to accept it and move on? Solicitor is pretty hopeless and doesn't seem to care as she already has her money.
If this was an isolated case it'd be fine, but it's not. The seller has been a pain from day one and clearly didn't want to move. We've already spent several hundred pounds on work/checks that wouldn't have needed to be done if the seller had her head screwed on but this is really bugging me!
If the seller has been such a pain, I'd be changing ALL the locks (not just the garage one) incase they come snooping back.....
Original Mortgage £68456.47
Now £53521.10 - Mortgage to be cleared April 2014 (32 months and counting!)0 -
Don't worry, we already have!!JonnyTwoToes wrote: »If the seller has been such a pain, I'd be changing ALL the locks (not just the garage one) incase they come snooping back.....
I wouldn't be suprised if she's living in the garage and that's why she's not giving us the keys!:D
As for calling in the locksmith. I'm pretty sure that's what we'll end up doing. But if she's in breach of a contract or something like that we could get our solicitor to hint at this.
We wouldn't pursue legal action as that would be too much effort over £100 or so, but if we hinted at something likie that it might inspire her to find the keys!0 -
If it's an up & over door,just try pushing hard at the top till it springs open,that's what burglars do!!0
-
The previous owner has not "lost" the key. I suspect that once you gain access you will find it packed to the ceiling with their carp. Carp which they intend to return to retrieve.0
-
BitterAndTwisted wrote: »The previous owner has not "lost" the key. I suspect that once you gain access you will find it packed to the ceiling with their carp. Carp which they intend to return to retrieve.
There's definitely something a bit fishy about the situation.
(Sorry, couldn't resist.)
As others have said - locksmith's probably the best bet. Hinting is all well and good, but given that you're going to end up replacing the locks anyway (right?), why not just do that straight off? As a bonus, you get to then dispose of any carp or other waterlife that they've left in there! Anything I post here is purely my own personal opinion. As such it may be wrong, poorly worded or written very tongue-in-cheek. Please therefore treat it the same way you should treat anything you read on the internet from an unknown person - with a healthy pinch of salt and scepticism!0 -
BitterAndTwisted wrote: »The previous owner has..it packed to the ceiling with their carp. Carp which they intend to return to retrieve.
LOL :T
Made my day.0 -
As others have said - locksmith's probably the best bet. Hinting is all well and good, but given that you're going to end up replacing the locks anyway (right?), why not just do that straight off? As a bonus, you get to then dispose of any carp or other waterlife that they've left in there!
Becasue if I could get the door open it would be a lot cheaper to change the lock as I wouldn't need a locksmith to pick the lock to gain access, and could probably fit the lock myself.
And getting rid of carp is is not a bonus, its a pain in the !!!!!0 -
exactly what happened with us! except they didn't return!BitterAndTwisted wrote: »The previous owner has not "lost" the key. I suspect that once you gain access you will find it packed to the ceiling with their carp. Carp which they intend to return to retrieve.0 -
No other way in? Window? Maybe cheaper to break/replace a pane than call a locksmith. Once in you can usually open from inside and then replace the lock.
Or have a key party - invite all your friends round, bringing their keys. Who know, maybe one will fit......?0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 350.1K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.8K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.1K Spending & Discounts
- 243.1K Work, Benefits & Business
- 597.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.5K Life & Family
- 256.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards