All completed but a problem with the keys.

amybenjaminandemilysmum

Morning all,

Just looking for some advice really.
We completed on Friday and when we went to collect the keys we were told that the key to the back door would be in the property however when we have got in....despite searching high and low we can't find it. Now I do recall on my second viewing of the property the EA couldn't show us the garden because he "didn't have the key". They are now saying the key "should" be in the property. Now who is liable for paying for a locksmith?

Thanks

Hoploz

Did the seller live in the property? If they didn't then it's possible they didn't know the key was missing.

Have a chat with the EA. I'm sure you have already.

What sort of door is it? Probably quickest to get the lock replaced yourself and move on and enjoy your new home. A locksmith will charge a lot more than a handyman or carpenter, by the way.

amybenjaminandemilysmum

It was a repossession therefore the EA had the keys.
My husband is happy to replace the lock but he dosent think you can do it while the door is locked shut. It's a UPvC patio door (?).

Hoploz

Sounds like a Google/YouTube 'How To' search to me
Good luck

D_M_E

A repossession and you don't have all keys to all external doors - complain to the agents and get the lock changed ASAP.

Yes, they can be changed on a Upvc door.

If it's not one of the high security anti pick anti drill etc ones a handyman should be able to change it for you but if it is then you would probably need a locksmith to do it.

AdrianC

D_M_E wrote: »

A repossession and you don't have all keys to all external doors - complain to the agents and get the lock changed ASAP.

No point whatsoever in complaining to the agents. They only have the keys that the former owner passed on to the lender and then on to the agent to the OP. The agent even told the OP when he was viewing that they didn't have all the keys.

It's a repo. This is exactly the kind of thing you can expect - and, even if all the keys were present, I'd still be changing the locks. You have no idea who else has a copy of them and a grudge.

Davesnave

AdrianC wrote: »

It's a repo. This is exactly the kind of thing you can expect - and, even if all the keys were present, I'd still be changing the locks. You have no idea who else has a copy of them and a grudge.

Beat me to it!

Change al the locks as a matter of course.

I had six to do and the same sort of situation.You don't mess around if the place has 'history!'

OTOH, we both got a bargain, didn't we?

G_M

The issue is that changing the locks is easy if the door is open.

It's harder if the door is shut. First you have to effectively pick the lock to open the door, and if it were that easy it would kind of defeat the purpose of the lock.......

marksoton

See below.

And blow the bl00dy doors off....

davidmcn

I'd have expected the lender to have changed all the locks (they won't want their borrower sneaking back in), but if they haven't there's not much you can do.