Estate Agents not handing over the keys

spiritus

I have purchased a property on Monday and the completion was all finalised the same day.


The vendor's estate agent haven't been in touch with me all week.


What is a reasonable time to wait before chasing them handing the keys to me ?


The property is a BTL with a tenant already insitu. The estate agent were acting as agents for the previous vendor so I presume they already have the keys.


My relations with the EA have deteriorated in recent weeks due to them being very incommunicative throughout the 8 month sales process but then suddenly being very pushy upon my immediate receipt of final paperwork for completion.


If completion was on Monday am I right to assume that the vendor's solicitor would have received funds the same day ?


I emailed the estate agent on Wednesday asking about the keys and also whether the tenant had been informed of the new ownership and bank details (next rental payment date is 15th Feb) but they haven't replied to me.

kingstreet

The vendor's solicitor should tell the selling agent completion has taken place and key release is now authorised.

Assuming that happened, go to the agent with ID and request their keys, if you don't want them to continue to act for you.

If the vendor didn't leave their keys with the agent, ask your solicitor to ask the vendor's solicitor where they are.

laidbackgjr

Perhaps the vendor hasn't got a set of keys and only the tenants have a set? Did you agree in the contract that the vendor would supply you with keys?

spiritus

I don't believe there was any specific instructions in the contract regarding the collection of keys.


The EA were acting as letting agent for the property so I'm taking an educated guess they must have had a set of keys but I cannot be 100% sure.


The EA are aware I will not be using their services as letting agent so that cannot be the reason.

ognum

spiritus wrote: »

I have purchased a property on Monday and the completion was all finalised the same day.


The vendor's estate agent haven't been in touch with me all week.


What is a reasonable time to wait before chasing them handing the keys to me ?


The property is a BTL with a tenant already insitu. The estate agent were acting as agents for the previous vendor so I presume they already have the keys.


My relations with the EA have deteriorated in recent weeks due to them being very incommunicative throughout the 8 month sales process but then suddenly being very pushy upon my immediate receipt of final paperwork for completion.


If completion was on Monday am I right to assume that the vendor's solicitor would have received funds the same day ?


I emailed the estate agent on Wednesday asking about the keys and also whether the tenant had been informed of the new ownership and bank details (next rental payment date is 15th Feb) but they haven't replied to me.

Go to the agent and ask for the keys, if they only have one set then pick them up and get a copy. Ensure the agent has your details and ask them to arrange a viewing of the property.

have you checked where the deposit is, how it can be obtained when it needs to be returned.

This is now an agent acting for you if you maintain your relationship with them as management letting agents. If I buy a property with tenants in situ I insist on a meeting with the tenants to talk through any issues with the property, how they get on with the agents etc etc. Have you done this, if not perhaps you should.

spiritus

ognum wrote: »

Go to the agent and ask for the keys, if they only have one set then pick them up and get a copy. Ensure the agent has your details and ask them to arrange a viewing of the property.

have you checked where the deposit is, how it can be obtained when it needs to be returned.

This is now an agent acting for you if you maintain your relationship with them as management letting agents. If I buy a property with tenants in situ I insist on a meeting with the tenants to talk through any issues with the property, how they get on with the agents etc etc. Have you done this, if not perhaps you should.

Thanks but the EA will not be acting for me. I will not be using them as agents for the property and I advised them of this several months ago.

Marktheshark

If its is tenanted you can not insist holding a set of keys.
The Tenants can have their own locks and you have to write and request access.

Tixy

The EA may not have a set of keys.

I would give them a call to follow up on your email to ask about the keys and if the tenant has been informed.

If the agent is not acting for you then I doubt they would be informing your tenant of your bank details.

Regardless of any reply I would write to the tenant yourself (or get your own agents to if it will be managed) so that they are aware of the change in ownership.

spiritus

Marktheshark wrote: »

If its is tenanted you can not insist holding a set of keys.
The Tenants can have their own locks and you have to write and request access.

Really ?


I thought that unless it was specifically mentioned in the agreement then the landlord could retain a set of keys for the property.


In this instance, there may already be a spare set of keys currently held by the ex-letting agent (who were holding the keys for the previous owner and landlord). Obviously, I will await confirmation from the previous owner.


It would seem a bit daft if the previous owner has possession of a spare set of keys (held by the agent) but I as a new owner could not have them.


Of course, if the tenant chooses to change the locks then I do not think I would be entitled to have a set of keys for the new locks.

Tixy

It may be that the seller and or their agents are already aware that the tenant has changed the locks to the property.

And so don't have any keys to pass on to you, as it would be pointless to pass on out of date keys.

You could ask the agent if they have a set, and you could ask the vendors solicitor if the vendor has a set of keys to the property.

TheCyclingProgrammer

Marktheshark wrote: »

If its is tenanted you can not insist holding a set of keys.

If the previous owner had a set of keys then I would have thought those are now the property of OP, regardless of whether the tenant may have changed the locks.

Of course, if the locks have been changed and only the tenants have a copy then I would agree with you.