House sale completed, buyer demanding replacement window keys

Hazelnutty

Hi all
I've recently gone through a stressful house sale with a very demanding buyer. He recently contacted me through the estate agent who handled the sale about window keys. I don't remember ever having any and the 360 virtual tour the agent produced doesn't show any. He's insisting I either 'find' them or pay for replacements. Does he have any leg to stand on legally or can I reply that the sale is complete and I have no further obligations? I find this kind of thing stressful (and frankly he caused way too much stress during the sale process that I can't bear the thought of re-opening any discussion at all with him) so don't want to get into any long exchange with him - I'd like to be able to say no with some authority!
If anyone knows where I stand legally I'd be very grateful for some advice. 
Many thanks!
Hazelnutty

davidmcn

Read your contract. Does it say you're to hand over keys for the windows? If not, ignore him.

diego_94

Window keys are standard, and are available on the internet for peanuts. There are companies where you can send photos of the locks and they will advise they keys.

However, I wouldn’t entertain the buyer. Advise the estate agent of what you have said on here, sale complete so you have no further obligations.

some people have a real cheek, and want everyone else to bail them out instead of doing a bit of research for themselves.

Grumpy_chap

Tell the agent to direct any queries via your conveyancing solicitors and that you will only respond via them.

Petriix

Just tell them that you've kept the keys and, if they keep hassling you, you'll use them to gain access to the house in the middle of the night...

greatcrested

I would not even respond. It just opens the way for an ongoing dialogue.

Ignore completely.

If the EA (who acts for you, not the buyer remember) is persistant, just politely instruct him (verbally - nothing in writing) to point the buyer at one of the many online suppliers. eg

https://www.fastkeys.co.uk/window-keys

If the buyer contacts you direct in writing, file and ignore.

If the buyer contacts you direct by phone, "Sorry I can't help you" then hang up before he can reply.

AdrianC

You say you've never had any window keys... I presume the locks are unlocked, else you'd not be able to open them.

I wonder if anybody told their insurer they have window locks...?

FreeBear

diego_94 said: Window keys are standard, and are available on the internet for peanuts.

Whilst the handles and locks may be pretty standard, the keys are not always so. Have had some new windows fitted here and had a couple of handles/locks changed on existing windows. The keys are not interchangeable. Maybe if I had the cheapest locks fitted, they might have been....

The_Warned

Grumpy_chap said:

Tell the agent to direct any queries via your conveyancing solicitors and that you will only respond via them.

Only if you are sure the solicitor will respond for free!

Personally I'd take greatcrested and davidmcn's advice. Ignore, and take much joy from it now the transaction is done!

greatcrested

FreeBear said:

diego_94 said: Window keys are standard, and are available on the internet for peanuts.

Whilst the handles and locks may be pretty standard, the keys are not always so. Have had some new windows fitted here and had a couple of handles/locks changed on existing windows. The keys are not interchangeable. Maybe if I had the cheapest locks fitted, they might have been....

I don't think the suggestion was that keys are interchangeable, but that replacements are cheaply available.

Even if a web-based supplier cannot supply the correct key, the window/lock manufacturer should supply replacement keys for very little outlay.

comeandgo

So are the windows locked shut or unlocked?  Both situations worrying.