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Original poster

Seller wont give me alarm code

58 replies

Harryfrog12 · 29/04/2021 07:13

Completing today and the seller wont give me his alarm code as he said its his. I assume as its personal to him. Is this normal and will i have to pay for an alarm company to reset it. Or do i have a right to the code?

OP posts:
Ariela · 29/04/2021 08:44

Ask him if he has the manual. If he has it''ll have instructions on changing the code. In which case ask him to set the code for you to one you suggest eg1357. And to leave you the manual. Then when you arrive you can at least re-set the code to one of your own.

If he won't do that would he allow you or your representative/an engineer to come and help him re-set the code to 1357 (looking away when he puts in 'his' code) on the morning of completion. Otherwise you'll not be able to re-set the code to your own which might prove tricky if the power goes off (ours 'sets' itself to on when power off).

MotherOfGodWeeFella · 29/04/2021 08:50

This is annoying, but minor - not something to threaten to pull out of the sale for.

Has the seller confirmed when the alarm was last serviced? If not get it serviced when you move in and the engineer can reset the user code for you. If the seller is elderly he's probably worried about giving someone the code while he's still living there. You don't need the code until you move in. He can leave a note with it on when he moves out or give it to the EA along with his keys.

MotherOfGodWeeFella · 29/04/2021 08:53

And don't bet on him being able to change the code himself either. You don't need to ask someone leaving the house they have probably lived in for years with the stress and emotion that involves to reset the alarm code for you. Just ask him to leave you the code.

TagsMum · 29/04/2021 09:01

We had pretty much the same problem. We thought the seller would leave the alarm code but turns out he didn't, it ended up going off at 1am and we had to cut the wire (well I say 'we', but ultimatelyi left it to my electrical DH!)

Original poster
Harryfrog12 · 29/04/2021 09:07

Thanks, yes i dont want to add any additional stress on moving day. Hopefully, he will leave me a note.
If not looks like a call out fee for me. Would rather avoid as ive spent quite abit of money today already

OP posts:
user1471462428 · 29/04/2021 09:14

I had this (they were bastards anyway) it would have cost £110 to get a new code and a call out charge for them to come and give it to me. My builder just disconnected the lot but it’s annoying as I would have like it.

TheCrowening · 29/04/2021 09:43

@Ugzbugz

Tell him fine the sale is cancelled as a threat?

I moved into a house and we didn't have the code and it was a nightmare. The alarm one night went off for hours, couldn't turn it off. Disabled the main box still going but eventually went off. Had an alarm person round and he said to cut the power to the bell box. Did that, the fucker still went off at random times despite being connected to nothing obvious. Sold the house about 5 years later and a while later get a text from new owner saying alarm is going off. It was monthly it could be a year of nothing then then it would kick off. You need that code plus surely he could get in and disable the code if you went out?

They’ve exchanged contracts and due to complete today.
Dizzycow79 · 29/04/2021 09:45

Could you speak to estate agents and see if they can assist him in changing the code?

Whythesadface · 29/04/2021 09:56

Can you find the info online of how to reset it and get him to be there when you change the code?

Wegobshite · 29/04/2021 09:57

If you ask him today , the name of the company that fitted the alarm you could ring them and ask how much a callout fee is
I have my alarm serviced once a year and it’s £50 so a callout fee shouldn’t be to much.

If your local to the house and the alarm box outside the house often has the name of the company on it in case you can’t speak to him

Divineswirls · 29/04/2021 09:58

What a weirdo get him to set it to 1234 or something basic.

GrumpyHoonMain · 29/04/2021 09:58

If you want an alarm then call the security / alarm provider today. They can do it for you - and often for free if you agree to buy an extra camera or something. Can work out cheaper than calling out someone to disconnect it

doublehalo · 29/04/2021 10:03

If I remember correctly, the people who install the alarm have an engineers code which they can use to reset the alarm. For a price or course.

MotherOfGodWeeFella · 29/04/2021 10:05

To be fair to the seller, I wouldn't give you my alarm code until we've completed. It could invalidate my insurance and just make me feel unsafe. Unless you have proof the alarm has been recently serviced I would always have it serviced after moving in. This kind of thing is a cost of moving and something to budget for.

nicknamehelp · 29/04/2021 10:08

Ask agent selling it they may know code or be able to explain to him your need for code.

Asdf12345 · 29/04/2021 10:11

Depending on the model you should be able to find the engineers code or hard reset instructions online.

We had one go off in the middle of the night at a place we were renting and it took less than thirty seconds to disarm it.

jacketdrama · 29/04/2021 10:50

I moved quite recently and one of the letters from my solicitor asked me to confirm in writing that I would provide the alarm code on completion. I confirmed and then emailed the code before completion but also left a note to the buyer with the code and other info.

MotherOfGodWeeFella · 29/04/2021 10:53

@Asdf12345

Depending on the model you should be able to find the engineers code or hard reset instructions online.

We had one go off in the middle of the night at a place we were renting and it took less than thirty seconds to disarm it.

You really shouldn't be able to find the engineer's manual online otherwise there'd be no point having an alarm. The companies that fit and maintain alarms pay to be members of industry bodies and to protect the details burglars, etc could exploit for their own ends.
Purplewithred · 29/04/2021 10:56

Maybe been posted already but can you ask him to change the code to something like 1234 when he leaves, then you can change it to whatever you want when you arrive (assuming it's easy to change).

Comefromaway · 29/04/2021 11:00

I wouldn't give my buyers my alarm code prior to completion either but what I did do was re-set it on the morning of completion to 0000 and phoned the estate agents to tell them this..

Comefromaway · 29/04/2021 11:01

@jacketdrama

I moved quite recently and one of the letters from my solicitor asked me to confirm in writing that I would provide the alarm code on completion. I confirmed and then emailed the code before completion but also left a note to the buyer with the code and other info.
Thinking about it I'm sure that I got this too.
Original poster
Harryfrog12 · 29/04/2021 11:21

Thanks everyone. Ive complete and my solicitors have had a message to say he will give me the code when i collect the keys this after.
Spending the weekend stripping wallpaper now.
Wish me luck Smile

OP posts:
JackieTheFart · 29/04/2021 11:26

Good luck and have fun!

I’m glad I read this today, we have an alarm and I can’t remember the code it’s been that long since we used it (it’s old and the buttons temperamental). Guess I’d better sort it soon!

Beautiful3 · 29/04/2021 11:35

I'd ask him to reset it to 0000.

Asdf12345 · 29/04/2021 12:49

@MotherOfGodWeeFella

I was admittedly surprised how easily it was found. It’s the reason we haven’t installed an alarm in our new place.