Alarm with no code in new house

PlumLuck

Hi All

If buying a house with an alarm fitted, would you expect to be given a code for it?

The current owners say they have never used the alarm and do not know the code. I'm not particularly bothered about having a working alarm system, but I am concerned that it will go off unexpectedly and we will have no way to silence it.

Wondering what other people would do in this situation - insist on them getting it reset and providing you with the code, or just wait until you move in and pay for it yourself?

Thanks

user1977

I would be asking them to sort it.

Robin9

Get it serviced when you move in and the engineer can set up a new code.

canaldumidi

Is the alarm operational? If the sellers have never used it, it probably isn't and won't "go off unexpectedly".

I'm sure you could get the manufacturer to either disable it, or re-enable it with a new code as required.

MaryNB

The house I bought had an alarm with no code. The switch for it on the consumer unit was off so there was no power to it. I had no idea if it was functional. It didn't bother me because I wanted a smart alarm so I removed it. 

PlumLuck

canaldumidi said:

Is the alarm operational? If the sellers have never used it, it probably isn't and won't "go off unexpectedly".

I'm sure you could get the manufacturer to either disable it, or re-enable it with a new code as required.

I've asked the question, but from reading other threads on here about batteries being low and causing them to go off even though the owner doesn't use them, it's got me a little bit concerned!

Sunsaru

Switching it of at consumer unit may not work if it's got a battery back up. There may be a cover you have to remove to disconnect the internal battery.

I would insist on them making sure it completely disabled and there is not chance of it going off.

justcat01

We're in the process of selling our house which has an alarm. We're just going to remove our codes and set a "default" and leave instructions on setting a new code along with the details of the company who installed it so it can be serviced (although it was serviced about 2 weeks ago). 
I asked the installers what I should do, and they basically said as above.

There's usually a sticker on the alarm with information on who to call if there's an issue. So you could call them when you move in.
Otherwise, you can request that they remove it before you move in. Did they put it on the fittings and contents form?

PlumLuck

justcat01 said:

We're in the process of selling our house which has an alarm. We're just going to remove our codes and set a "default" and leave instructions on setting a new code along with the details of the company who installed it so it can be serviced (although it was serviced about 2 weeks ago). 
I asked the installers what I should do, and they basically said as above.

There's usually a sticker on the alarm with information on who to call if there's an issue. So you could call them when you move in.
Otherwise, you can request that they remove it before you move in. Did they put it on the fittings and contents form?

Yes, they've ticked 'included' next to 'burglar alarm'.

In the 360 tour of the house, though, I can't find the alarm panel to see if there's any further detail.

eddddy

Is it a 'high-end' alarm system which has been professionally installed by an alarm company? If so, if you contact them, they might be able to advise you. (But it might involve an engineer call-out with a hefty fee.)

Or is it a DIY alarm system bought online or from a DIY store (maybe for under £100)? If so, google might find discussions about resetting codes etc.

But maybe the easiest thing is to push the problem back on the seller.

hazyjo

Had similar and chose not to use the alarm. Do think I remember something about being able to prove home ownership to the alarm company and getting them to reset it.