Vendor has retained keys!

DIYGirlz

We completed on a flat purchase. When I went to collect the keys the agent informed me that the vendor has retained the keys. He gave us one key but this is not enough to access. What can I do?

Guest101

DIYGirlz wrote: »

We completed on a flat purchase. When I went to collect the keys the agent informed me that the vendor has retained the keys. He gave us one key but this is not enough to access. What can I do?

I suggest the agent phones them asap, as they are going to be liable for costs, lots of them...

A locksmith can get you in, the cost can be passed on to the vendor.

I'd change the locks too, but you should always do that

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

DIYGirlz wrote: »

We completed on a flat purchase. When I went to collect the keys the agent informed me that the vendor has retained the keys. He gave us one key but this is not enough to access. What can I do?

Ask the agent to contact the vendor and get him/her to bring the other keys.

EDIT: What Guest101 said.

theartfullodger

I would change the locks anyway on purchase as there is no way of knowing vendor (or neighbour - or son's ex-girlfriend..) does not have copies.

Unless you wish to run the risk of theft etc etc ... your decision...

TheCyclingProgrammer

DIYGirlz wrote: »

We completed on a flat purchase. When I went to collect the keys the agent informed me that the vendor has retained the keys. He gave us one key but this is not enough to access. What can I do?

You're planning to change the locks anyway aren't you? Get the locksmith in quicker.

I'm surprised building insurance companies don't make this a condition when insuring newly bought properties.

SailorSam

Even if i thought i had all the keys, after i bought a new house i'd always change the locks.
On a flat if you've only got one fromtdoor it's not going to cost a lot. You may only need a new barrel.

G_M

Give the vendor 1 hour to provide keys before you get a locksmith - at his expense. Sed him the bill and follow up by suing if he does no pay.

As ohers have said, change all the locks once you're in, but you don't need a locksmith for that. simple DIY job probided the doord in question are open.

moneyistooshorttomention

I wouldn't even bother to bill the vendor, unless I couldn't get access after the property had become mine that is.

Reason being, I would be changing the locks anyway. On current property I was having the locks changed the very same day I moved in (as per arrangement made some days beforehand).

agrinnall

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I wouldn't even bother to bill the vendor, unless I couldn't get access after the property had become mine that is.

Well, I think that's the OP's point, my reading is that the flat door has two (or more) locks but only one key has been provided. So if the correct number of keys are not forthcoming toot sweet then a locksmith to gain entry would be required, and as a result at least one lock would need to be changed to ensure security and continued access, and I would bill the vendor for all of that. The other lock the OP (who has DIY in their user name so hopefully is handy with a screwdriver) can change at their leisure.

eddddy

DIYGirlz wrote: »

We completed on a flat purchase. When I went to collect the keys the agent informed me that the vendor has retained the keys. He gave us one key but this is not enough to access. What can I do?

Is the missing key(s) for a communal front door or your private front door?

(Obviously, the advice to get a locksmith/change the lock would only apply to your private front door.)

If it's the communal front door key, is it a 'special' security key? If so they are usually expensive, and only the managing agent can get them cut.

(Does your vendor own other flats in the block? Is that why he/she doesn't want to give you the key - to save the expense of getting another key from the managing agent?)

Either way, ask the EA why the vendor wont give you the key, and as others have said, make a fuss and threaten to claim for damages.

DTDfanBoy

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I wouldn't even bother to bill the vendor, unless I couldn't get access after the property had become mine that is.

Reason being, I would be changing the locks anyway. On current property I was having the locks changed the very same day I moved in (as per arrangement made some days beforehand).

You probably would be keen to bill the vendor once you'd found out how much more it can cost to change a lock without having a key for it