No keys to my new house.. where do I stand?

savingbee

hi all,
I was wondering if I can pick some brains, I am new to this house buying lark but understand the following isn't acceptable.


basically I completed on a house yesterday, I went to the estate agents to collect the keys and they couldn't be found. in the checking out book they were last handled in November but apparently they cant remember that far back but they have no record (apparently) of having them back.


Now, I had a homebuyers report done in October and apparently the surveyor posted them through the estate agents door once finished, however EA say they were not returned, although there is proof of them being handled in November. they are obviously passing the buck and I only managed to get into my house last night as the vendors sister had a spare key although.... no key at all for the back door!! she gave me her number and said she would ask her family about a back door key. I text her today and she said the only other keys spare were the ones EA had.




I understand this is a fire hazard and I have phoned EA after to say whats going on, he is looking into it for me but who should be responsible for paying for a locksmith? would it be me?


also there are no keys for the windows either.. I feel at a loss of what to do and its just added stress that I don't need


sorry for the long post


thanks in advance

SantaKlaus

No keys to my new house.. where do I stand?

Outside :rotfl:

Leo2020

If they surveyor didn't return them I would say it's their fault and they should pay. If the EA lost them they should pay. But I feel it might end up with both parties blaming each other and I doubt there is any proof either way.

In regards to the keys for the windows, I imagine they get lost often with them being so small. So the vendor might have lost them or maybe never had them. Are the windows locked?

PasturesNew

Simple .... tell the EA you want a locksmith at your place immediately, at their expense. They had them, they lost them....

Window lock keys are often missing ... probably have to take that on the chin and get some new ones, which is quite straight forward.... just a nuisance.

ihatemyhouse

get the locks changed anyway, you never know who will have a key

once you are in the house, the locks are easy to take apart

SantaKlaus

for any window keys you may need take a look at this website:

http://www.replacementkeys.co.uk/window

savingbee

Leo2020 wrote: »

If they surveyor didn't return them I would say it's their fault and they should pay. If the EA lost them they should pay. But I feel it might end up with both parties blaming each other and I doubt there is any proof either way.

In regards to the keys for the windows, I imagine they get lost often with them being so small. So the vendor might have lost them or maybe never had them. Are the windows locked?

Windows are locked yes. I think with them being handled in November and surveyor did the report a month before, I think il be blaming EA. I cant get out my back door and whats worse is someone might have the key and let themselves in! :mad:

DevCoder

But even if they had given you the keys then you woudnt know if anyone had copies so could let themselves in.

The cost of replacing locks when buying a new house is negligible and gives you peace of mind.

DaftyDuck

krisdorey wrote: »

But even if they had given you the keys then you woudnt know if anyone had copies so could let themselves in.

The cost of replacing locks when buying a new house is negligible and gives you peace of mind.

But, locksmith aside, a door needs to be open to replace the lock.

savingbee

I am in the process of getting the front door one replaced as I know anyone could have a key. but like someone else said, can't do that for the back until I have a key.

dancingfairy

I'd get a locksmith to sort it out and then take it up with the estate agent. Send them the bill.
df