Previous owners let themselves in!!!.

lettucekl

I just got the keys to my new house Friday just gone, i haven't currently moved in as decorating and need to get furniture sorted. On Saturday i got a phone call from my EA asking if i was at the property (which i was) and if it was possible for the previous owners to come around and collect a child gate they had left, i said that would be fine if they were here in the next 20 minutes as i had to go, the EA said they'd let them know and to expect them round, i waited 30 minutes and they never showed so i left.

I then went back to the property to do some painting 2 days later and notice that the child gate had gone!!. I phone the EA asking if they knew anything about it which they did not and said they would phone the previous owners. EA got back to me and said yes that they had actual let themselves in with a key they somehow had and picked up the gate!! The EA was very apologetic and told the previous owner that under no circumstance should they had done this and told them to return the key. They apparently turn around and said that they didn't release that they shouldn't have done that (yeah whatever) but were sorry, im not sure why they even had a key still!!

Now im a bit concerned, they said they would return the key but my mind still isn't put at ease and think im going to have to get all the locks changed. Where do i stand with this, should i get in contact with my Solicitor and demand that they pay for the locks to be changed or any other course of action i should take?, i dont want to get them in trouble with the police, or though i guess it could be classed as trespassing!?

[Deleted User]

I think you're right - the locks do need changing, whether you'll get the sellers to willingly pay is of course another matter.

BritishBibliophile

Standard advice on these forums is to change the locks on the day of completion, as you have no idea who a copy may have been given to in the past. This is something for you to arrange and pay for yourself, not the sellers.

G_M

Whilst the sellers are out of order - you are too!

Why on earth did you not change the locks when you took ossession? You have no idea how many keys exist, or in whose hands.

[Deleted User]

Except that in this case the sellers have by their own admission re-entered their old property when they had no right to.

lettucekl

Thanks for the suggestions. Ill get the locks change, or though theres nout all in the property at the moment. Any ideas what the going rate is for having locks changed ( a rough estimate) as ive never had ton get locks changed before

warby68

They shouldn't have done it and you should have changed the locks.

BUT don't blow it out of proportion - treat it as cheeky and foolish rather than malicious and just get on with changing the locks. People can remain strangely possessive about former homes - not right but it does happen.

sammyjammy

You shouldn't need to pay a locksmith, find out what locks they are, buy new barrels and get on YouTube if you need help fitting them.

G_M

lettucekl wrote: »

Any ideas what the going rate is for having locks changed ( a rough estimate) as ive never had ton get locks changed before

Depends on the type of lock.

You need to change all the external locks.

A decent cylinder latch costs about £10.00 or

http://www.saundersonsecurity.co.uk/acatalog/Yale_Rim_Cylinder_Brass_B_1109_PB.html


An insurance approved deadbolt lock is £25 +


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA580cRHXDY

Patio door locks from £10 upwards.

Bonfire_Bride

Definitely change the locks. Hopefully, the EA's stern word has ensured that they don't do it again. I'm sure there's nothing sinister going on with the previous owners, but get the locks changed for your own peace of mind.

This was such a strange thread to stumble upon...I had a dream last night I was hiding in my old house when the new owners came round. I was looking for a necklace!

Slinky

We were in our house the day after the rental had ended and the tenant had moved out. We found that he'd left the upstairs casement windows wide open overnight. We were stood in the kitchen drinking coffee when the previous tenant let himself in! It's not like he wouldn't have known we were there, our car was on the drive. Some people are absolutely clueless.