Shit. Just sold and son has broken door lock.

[redgoat]

It's the patio door and it opens and locks from the outside but not the inside as the inside leaver has become disconnected from the outside leaver. Fuck. I have no money at all. We're aiming to complete in a month.

The door locks securely and there is another route to the back garden. Could this be claimed on my house insurance as accidental damage? Could it just be left as the house is not insecure?

[JackieAndHyde4eva]

You have to fix it. How much is your insurance excess?

[redgoat]

I've not claimed for years. I think it will be about £150.

[JackieAndHyde4eva]

Eek. A new door handle wont cost that! Ring round local locksmith and get a quote. Borrow the money if necessary.

[SoupDragon]

You might find it is cheaper to fix than to go through insurance.

[redgoat]

It's a sliding patio door. Will the handle be as easy as that to change?

[StepAwayFromTheThesaurus]

Having recently had our locks changed on moving, I'd imagine the excess on the insurance would be about as much as paying a locksmith yourself and you wouldn't lose your no claims bonus.

[isthistoonosy]

If your really skint could wait a bit mention it to the buyers and ask if they can just pay 200 less?

[redgoat]

It's just occurred to me that the middle lock hasn't pushed in for years as something caught in the way. It's been so long I didn't even think about it. Bloody hate house selling.

[Imnotaslimjim]

If its just the lever that's broken a locksmith might be able to replace the part. Have a ring around, explain the problem and get some quotes.

[redgoat]

How rude of me. Thank you for your advice. This is so stressful, I could cry. I'm on my own with the dc as DH is abroad and can't send money back for various reasons so I'm only on my wage so only just making ends meet. I could probably borrow money from my dad but I hate being beholden to anyone.

[SoupDragon]

Has the survey been done?

[redgoat]

I'll try some locksmiths. Thank you.

[ImperialBlether]

What's your dad like? If he's a decent father to you, he really won't mind lending you the money.

[redgoat]

No. Only accepted the offer yesterday and it's well below what we wanted but it got to the stage I needed to accept it to move forward. Bloody previous buyer pulled out in May and this is all we've had since.

[redgoat]

My dad is amazing, he'll lend it to me without hesitation. It's me that hates asking. I feel as I'm well in to my late 30s, I shouldn't be as broke as I am and am rather embarrassed. X

[SoupDragon]

Leave it then. It's the job of the surveyor to pick up on it, especially if they have got a bargain anyway and it is only s small thing.

[redgoat]

I guess I could leave it until the survey and if it comes up I can get it fixed then. As I said, it does lock and the house is secure.

They have got a bargain. £32k less than the asking price.

[redgoat]

Thank you again everyone. Xx

[SoupDragon]

I would honestly leave it.

I wouldn't do it for something major but this is a tiny thing and relatively cheap in the grand scheme of things.

[redgoat]

Thank you. Is a relief to think it's not huge. If the worst comes to the worst, i will ask my dad. I was just envisaging needing to get new patio doors. Phew.

[OhThatThingAgain]

This probably isn't the correct answer, but our sellers left us with a back door that didn't lock and a broken key in-situ in the lock.

We just sucked it up and paid. Not nice but by far the least of the problems they left us.

The range cooker that was included in the sale didn't work, the roof leaked and needed the membrane replacing, the burglar alarm that was busted and went off on tamper alert every 30 minutes. Oh and the integrated washing machine that smelled of an interesting mix of garlic and poo.

In the grand scheme of things if the door is secure then you are not in any trouble. Houses have small issues, that is a small issue.

[redgoat]

Oh gosh. I'm definitely not leaving them any problems like that. I'm already stressing about trying to make sure I leave everything clean etc etc. Need to book oven cleaner as mine desperately needs doing but I don't want to pay to have it done twice so I'm leaving it to the last minute!

[Andbabymakesthree]

You are booking an oven cleaner- just get some oven pride!!

[ExcuseMyEyebrows]

Honestly I'd leave it.

I've bought and sold quite a few properties and things like this are minor irritations for a new owner to sort.

My present house had a long list of things that needed fixing when we moved in, including a hideously blocked sewer

[specialsubject]

you haven't actually sold - although hopefully you will. If the survey picks it up, fine. Or you could offer a small discount before exchange.

hate to say it, but if that's the only offer in ages that's what it is worth, regardless of asking price.

hope all goes well.