panic over empty building insurance at completion

[duedec2]

Hello -

We are due to exchange on a wreck house next week and complete a few days later. I know we need building insurance from completion (for the mortgage). Reading the small print of the deal I've been quoted, it specifies that the house should have various locks (eg key locks on the downstairs windows) which I'm pretty sure the house doesn't have. Should I ask the seller if I can get those fitted before completion or is this something my solicitor should negotiate with the seller? Because there are going to be builders in the house for six months we're having to get empty buildings insurance, which seems to be tricky to get anyway. Should we, in fact, be getting some sort of interim simple building insurance policy for between exchange and completion? Thanks so much for any ideas

We just called our current insurers for between exchange and completion (and then empty until we are ready to move). Our insurers just wanted the house checked every other day.

I think you should consult the insurer.

They will probably say the Contents will not be insured for burglary if the house is not locked up properly, no big deal.

BTW if you get a proper BS lock on the front door fitted by a joiner or locksmith, you can swap it yourself for an identical new one of the same make and model very easily once the builders have gone and you want new keys. Back door too if you want. The downstairs windows will probably need metal locks with a removable key. They are very cheap and easy to fit, and you can get them on ebay or a DIY shed.

Thanks very much. Have actually found some specialist renovation insurance, which specifies no more than that the house should be secure. Expensive, but what we need anyway.