Half of the window keys missing from the new built house – is it a big issue?

myfairrlady

I got the keys to a new house 2 weeks ago, but we did not move in yet. I just realised that half of the windows keys are missing ! this includes downstairs windows (which are unlocked) and upstairs bedroom window (locked). Some of the windows upstairs have keyholes but some have mock up locks (?), I mean are covered with plastic instead of having a key hole. This house has been built a year ago and nobody lived there since then, its been on the market. How important is it to having lockable windows?is it both downstairs and upstairs ? Why do some upstairs windows have locks and some dont ? Should I insist that I am provided with keys to the locks or is it enough that the windows can be opened? (my neighbour has the same problem but she seems to think its not a big deal if the key is missing but the windows opens).

AdrianC

What does your house insurance say about window locks?

Do the keys you DO have work in the locks you don't think you have keys for?

It's quick, cheap and easy to change the handles that are unlocked-and-keyless for new ones with keys, but changing any locked-and-keyless ones will require you to somehow defeat the lock. This is unlikely to be terribly difficult, since we're not talking Fort Knox-grade locks...

societys_child

You may find that one key fits all the window locks in the house (if they're the locking handle type)

My insurance states that all accessible* windows must have locks. This usually means windows which can be reached without the use of a ladder. Ground floor or via a flat roof etc. Check your insurance policy.

The frames are often dispatched to the building site with spare keys hidden/ attached to the frames. Open the window(s) and check if a key has been attached into the rebate, either the fixed frame or the frame of the opening window - (if this makes sense)

The French doors on my sons new build had an extra key attached the top of one of the doors, which wasn't obvious without opening it and running my hand across the top. Needed a step ladder to see it/ unscrew it.

Replacement widow locking handles can be bought for ~£5 or less if necessary. The locks are not high security and extra keys can be obtained from various locksmith websites simply by comparing the patten with images on the website(s)

HTH.

silvercar

Some of the windows upstairs have keyholes but some have mock up locks (?),

The regulations keep changing, but there was a requirement that every bedroom have one window, of escape size, that is not lockable.

agrinnall

The problem with window locks and insurance is that if you say you have them then your policy is likely to insist that they are always used when you leave the house, and if you forget and there's a break in then they may try to use the unlocked window as an excuse not to pay out. It's worth finding out how much cover is with and without locking windows (although obviously use the locks you do have anyway).

casper_g

agrinnall wrote: »

The problem with window locks and insurance is that if you say you have them then your policy is likely to insist that they are always used when you leave the house, and if you forget and there's a break in then they may try to use the unlocked window as an excuse not to pay out. It's worth finding out how much cover is with and without locking windows (although obviously use the locks you do have anyway).

This is good advice. When we moved to a new place there were no locks on the windows, and I was surprised to find that this made next to no difference to the cost of home insurance with the providers we looked at. Even with door locks, changing between "British Standard deadlocks" and "other locks not listed above" seemed to make very little odds.


The one thing that really did hurt was telling the insurers about my wife's harp, which more than doubled the quote for the contents insurance!

AdrianC

casper_g wrote: »

The one thing that really did hurt was telling the insurers about my wife's harp, which more than doubled the quote for the contents insurance!

At a guess, because of fragility and the likelihood of (expensive, covered by the policy) accidental damage in transit?

I can't imagine they're a particularly effective scrote-magnet.

csgohan4

casper_g wrote: »

This is good advice. When we moved to a new place there were no locks on the windows, and I was surprised to find that this made next to no difference to the cost of home insurance with the providers we looked at. Even with door locks, changing between "British Standard deadlocks" and "other locks not listed above" seemed to make very little odds.


The one thing that really did hurt was telling the insurers about my wife's harp, which more than doubled the quote for the contents insurance!

Yo.u must be giving your neighbours lots of tea and cakes

Senior_Paper_Monitor

By chance I discussed this very subject with two Business Development Managers of the two largest insurance panels we search as standard for B&C quotes.

I was giving both grief about the detailed locks questions they had recently introduced - because nobody ever knows (even if they are in the house as very few of them are locksmiths).

Both explained identically:

1) they have to ask those questions now

2) always answer with the "don't know/other type" option

3) it will typically cost an additional 20p a month (I had assumed the impact would be considerably worse - but we ran examples to test this)

4) If we guess and get it wrong, cover could be jeopardised


There may be some high risk areas where the above doesn't apply but f0r the great majority of cases this is the way to do it.

AdrianC

Senior_Paper_Monitor wrote: »

Both explained identically:

1) they have to ask those questions now

What a pathetic cop-out. Why do they "have to"? Who's forcing them to, if not their own corporate policies?

csgohan4

AdrianC wrote: »

What a pathetic cop-out. Why do they "have to"? Who's forcing them to, if not their own corporate policies?

So they can avoid payouts.