House purchase missing keys

LAC789

We've just moved into our house and everything is perfect apart from the keys.

On completion we went to collect the keys and were handed just 1 front door key which we thought was strange but assumed the rest would be at the property. They weren't. We found 3 keys that fit the back door, but the back garden doesn't lead anywhere and it's a twist lock inside so we have 3 keys to lock ourselves in the garden.

This left us with no keys to the shed or garage. The neighbors bought round the shed key (no idea why they had it) but we still don't have a key for the garage.

I have changed the front door locks so now we have 3 keys for the door but I am unable to change the garage lock without the key to remove the barrel.

Is our seller at fault? In the property info forms and contract it says "all keys will be left at the property" but this has not been done. Where do we stand? We thought it was a pretty basic thing that we would have keys to all of the locks when moving in.

tykesi

LAC789 wrote: »

We've just moved into our house and everything is perfect apart from the keys.

On completion we went to collect the keys and were handed just 1 front door key which we thought was strange but assumed the rest would be at the property. They weren't. We found 3 keys that fit the back door, but the back garden doesn't lead anywhere and it's a twist lock inside so we have 3 keys to lock ourselves in the garden.

This left us with no keys to the shed or garage. The neighbors bought round the shed key (no idea why they had it) but we still don't have a key for the garage.

I have changed the front door locks so now we have 3 keys for the door but I am unable to change the garage lock without the key to remove the barrel.

Is our seller at fault? In the property info forms and contract it says "all keys will be left at the property" but this has not been done. Where do we stand? We thought it was a pretty basic thing that we would have keys to all of the locks when moving in.

I've just had similar, only found out after completion that the kitchen door didn't have a key.

In the property info forms and contract it says "all keys will be left at the property" but this has not been done.

It has if all the keys you have been given are all the keys they had.

Just get new keys cut where possible and/or change the locks. You won't get far chasing the vendors without large solicitors fees so it will be cheaper to forget it. Advice is often to change the locks anyway on a new house purchase so it's not a bad idea to do this.

AndyTails

Have you tried contacting the seller...? Probably the key you were given to move in with was the one the agent used for viewings, and the vendor still has their full set of keys. The most likely explanation is that it slipped their mind in the stress of moving day, and it can be sorted with a phone call.


Should it not be resolved with a phone call, then you might start thinking about where you stand legally.

PasturesNew

Time/cost-wise it's best if you just get a locksmith to change all the locks you have an issue with and leave it at that.

That way you'll be able to choose the type/security of the lock and know you have all the keys.

The alternative is to try to get keys from somebody who might/might not know or care.... or somebody with "anger issues" who feels pestered and doesn't tell you they had another one cut ... and they hate you now because you caused them to find the keys.

Just do it and move on.

The cost would be cheaper than trying to get any solicitor etc involved- and quicker. You can get it done today.

There are always unexpected costs/expenses once you've moved in....

LAC789

I contacted the seller the day we moved, he said that the front door key that he left at the solicitors was the only key he had and that he thought the garage and shed keys were in the kitchen drawer, but they weren't.

davilown

For your own peace of mind just change the locks. If there wasn't a mention of x keys then if they left 1 then that's the key. Where are the other keys? Neighbours, relatives and ex's. Be safe change the locks

cjmillsnun

You should be able to change the garage door lock. Buy a new handle and lock combined. Something similar to http://www.screwfix.com/p/garage-door-handle/74579

Change the shed lock and the back door lock as well.

AndyTails

LAC789 wrote: »

I contacted the seller the day we moved, he said that the front door key that he left at the solicitors was the only key he had and that he thought the garage and shed keys were in the kitchen drawer, but they weren't.

Then get a locksmith out for the garage. For the shed you might want to consider the relative cost of a locksmith vs cutting the lock out with a circular saw and making good with a clasp and padlock. Or even vs buying a new shed.

The vendor is indeed liable for the cost of the locksmith, but the time and effort in recouping the (relatively) small amount of money are unlikely to be worth it. Personally I'd suggest asking the vendor to reimburse the cost, but not bother pursuing it when they refuse or just plain don't reply.

Davesnave

Mentally and physically, the vendor has moved on, so it falls to you to sort out the garage door. If you are handy it will be relatively cheap, and if you're not, then it still won't be worth chasing the vendor for recompense.

So long as you don't find their mother in law inside, tied-up, this will be a mere blip. After all, the rest of the house is 'perfect.' Wish I could have said that!