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Original poster

Estate agent wants a copy of my keys?

32 replies

sweetmama11 · 18/09/2020 22:56

I'm in the process of selling my house. I've just had the estate agent round to take photos and they've now gone live and it's listed.

Today, I get a call from the estate agent telling me she needs a key to let herself in when she shows a potential buyer round. I find this kind of alarming. It worries me to give a give a key out that could be stolen or copied or given to anyone. Is this normal? I'm fully aware that I need to be out of the house when the estate agent shows a potential buyer round but I don't see why I need to give them my keys? I'm not a millionaire but I am worried in case anything were to get stolen. Would my insurance be void?

I'm still living in the house with my child. It seems a bit weird for another person to have a key when the house is still occupied.

...Or am I just being paranoid?

Any thoughts appreciated.

OP posts:

SunInTheSkyYouKnowHowIFeel · 18/09/2020 23:04

Is this not just normal practise? How can they show potential viewers around if they can't get into the property?

You could refuse, but then it would be a massive pain to have to be in to open up, so might restrict the viewings you get.

Marmite133 · 18/09/2020 23:06

It's normal and they will have policies in place to cover any issues.

CatAndHisKit · 19/09/2020 01:50

Normal if they do the viewings. Otherwise you'll haev to let them in every time then go out / sit in the garden, you can request that. Re security, they have keys for many properties which they are showing, so the store then securely and premises are alarmed and /or shuttered at night.

CatAndHisKit · 19/09/2020 01:51

*so they store them

nachthexe · 19/09/2020 01:54

Completely normal

Dotinthecity · 19/09/2020 06:18

I agree with the other posters, it's completely normal.

TW2013 · 19/09/2020 06:26

Unless you plan on never leaving the house yes they will need keys. Even if you let the estate agent in then how would you know when they had finished? We also had last minute viewings- 'Mrs Smith is here from London for the day and is seeing another property in an hour, she was wondering if she could come over to yours in half an hour.' Believe me the keys are the least of your worries with selling the house.

TW2013 · 19/09/2020 06:27

Should clarify my last point, unless you are always poised ready to let them in you will loose viewings.

trinity0097 · 19/09/2020 06:28

Totally normal.

QuacksInTheDark · 19/09/2020 06:31

What will you do when viewings happen? Let them in then leave? They’ll still be in your house alone and could nick stuff.

Bluntness100 · 19/09/2020 06:32

What’s your plan then for the viewings? You will drop the keys every day there is a viewing, in advance? Get them back after? Or you’ll meet them at the door and leave?

Have you not been shown houses by agents yourself and witnesses them using a key to get in?

joystir59 · 19/09/2020 06:33

Buying and selling property is one of the most stressful life events. If you are worried about your estate agent having a key you are showing early signs that you will not get through this experience. Give them.a key. It's completely normal practice.

seayork2020 · 19/09/2020 06:33

I would think it is odd for them not to have keys

custardbear · 19/09/2020 06:46

Can you just show round people yourself? In my experience of looking at houses, some estate agents don't make an effort to point out all of the good aspects anyway

custardbear · 19/09/2020 06:48

Or you could provide a key safe on the outside if the house so people just know the combination. Then take the key out any time there's no viewers or at night

seayork2020 · 19/09/2020 06:57

@custardbear personally I want an agent showing me around not a current owner, and I would be careful pointing what the owner thinks is a positive as to the person looking ot could be a negative

I like the agent their to answer questions but want to be left to look around myself

Nquartz · 19/09/2020 07:00

When we sold our old house we did all viewings ourselves & I've only ever been shown round houses by the owners, we managed fine!

PinkPosyPetals · 19/09/2020 07:01

Or say no. No one in your house when you aren’t there.
That’s normal too.

FippertyGibbett · 19/09/2020 07:06

I wouldn’t give a key and I would be doing viewings myself.

OverTheRubicon · 19/09/2020 07:06

I hate being shown around the house by the owners, it's awkward and you can't be as open or look the way you want to. You and your child don't want to have to be there all the time, and it'll be easier for them to make your property a priority if it's really easy for them to show people.

Other countries we've lived in it's ALWAYS the estate agents. I just tidy away any valuable or highly personal knick knacks (jewellery box, photos of us etc) and let them go.

Bouncycastle12 · 19/09/2020 07:08

Yes, it’s normal.

YellowNotRed · 19/09/2020 07:09

Being shown by the owner is an awful experience 9 times out of 10.

And yes, it's normal for the agent to have a key, I've never had issue with it.

tara66 · 19/09/2020 07:10

You don't have to give them the key if you don't want to. It means they will have to make an appointment with you for any viewings to let them in. That's all. You do not have to go out either when they come. It is your property.

Itshissister · 19/09/2020 07:11

We leave the key somewhere for the agent when we know they are doing a viewing. Ie under a flower pot.

We didn't want them having keys either.

0blio · 19/09/2020 07:30

@custardbear

Can you just show round people yourself? In my experience of looking at houses, some estate agents don't make an effort to point out all of the good aspects anyway

This. In my experience (and I've bought and sold a good few homes), estate agents don't sell properties like the owner can - they just let prospective buyers look around.

I've always done viewings myself and where I'm from estate agents aren't generally involved in property selling anyway.

Show them around yourself OP and you can tell them all about the good schools nearby and how lovely the neighbours are . You can really sell your home, an estate agent doesn't know it like you do.

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