Can I ask estate agents to change locks

AVWheeler

Hello

I am currently in the final stages of purchasing my first house and wanted to know what my rights are to having the locks in the property changed before we exchange?

The reasons for wanting this to happen is due to the previous tenant being an alcoholic and for safety reasons do not want him returning and allowing himself into the property. The second reason is that we showed family around the other day and found a couple of keys laying by the door. The property is empty at the moment however we don't know exactly how many keys were there and don't want to risk our house being broken into by someone who has taken one of these keys - if that makes sense!

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Guest101

AVWheeler wrote: »

Hello

I am currently in the final stages of purchasing my first house and wanted to know what my rights are to having the locks in the property changed before we exchange?

The reasons for wanting this to happen is due to the previous tenant being an alcoholic and for safety reasons do not want him returning and allowing himself into the property. The second reason is that we showed family around the other day and found a couple of keys laying by the door. The property is empty at the moment however we don't know exactly how many keys were there and don't want to risk our house being broken into by someone who has taken one of these keys - if that makes sense!

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Zero. 0. nada. nope.

fairy_lights

It's easy enough to change the barrel of the lock yourself, you can buy a new one for a couple of quid.

k3lvc

When it's yours you can do what you want with it i.e. change the locks. Until that point you're no right to do anything (nor is the Estate Agent likely to do anything other than laugh at your request)

thesaint

How many tens of thousands is this property costing you?

G_M

Of course you can ask the seller to change the locks. Either directly or via the estate agent. You could even offer to pay the costs.


Whether the seller agrees is up to him - you cannot force him to.

He is more likely to agree after Exchange though, so you might want to re-visit the property for a viewing the day before Exchange (or on the day itself) to ensure this drunk ex-tenant has not re-occupied. Then authorise your conveyancer to Exchange once you are satisfied. after Exchange, make your request re the locks.

Personally I can't see why a reasonable seller would not agree once the contract is fixed, assuming

a) you are bearing the cost
b) he gets the new keys, not you!

ViolaLass

Any reason you can't change them once you've completed? It was the first thing we did.

DaftyDuck

But if the seller changes the locks.... do you know he's given you all the keys? You are back to square one.

Buy a lock when you are in and know what you need. It is easy. For security while you are there at first, buy a sturdy bolt from a DIY shed.

Surrey_EA

By all means ask. If you're really lucky the seller may agree to change the locks, but I suspect you'll end up having them changed yourself post completion.

I'm amazed more people don't have the locks changed when they move home, as a new owner you've no idea who the previous occupant may have given keys to. In the grand scheme of things it's a very small sum of money.

stator

If you offer to pay the costs and demand that it is done shortly before exchange of contracts then I think your chances are good. I think it's a good idea. You don't want anyone sneaking in between exchange and completion.

Mallotum_X

Change on the day you move in. Surely most people change the locks regardless of an alcoholic ex tenant.