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Original poster

Keys to new house on moving day? Were they left for you or did you pick them up?

29 replies

CutesyUserName · 19/09/2023 00:51

We are moving about 3 hours away next week. We've got removals booked who charge waiting time if access is not available at a reasonable time (usually about 2pm). Given the size of the move, I don't suppose we'll get there much before 1pm.

The estate agent is a 45 minute drive beyond the new house, and they hold a key.

If our vendor has already left by the time we get there, would it be unreasonable to request they leave a key hidden somewhere (or with a neighbour) so that once funds are confirmed we can get in. Otherwise it's an hour and a half round trip to pick up keys from the agent.

OP posts:

EggInANest · 19/09/2023 01:15

I would ask them to leave a key, or ask the EA to meet you at the house.

Roselilly36 · 19/09/2023 05:07

We had a similar move, had to collect key from the EA, the other keys were left in the property. This is standard. We did ask the EA if they could meet us at the property, they said no, because they didn’t know what time we would complete. Good luck with your move

Roselilly36 · 19/09/2023 05:09

We didn’t complete till 4.10pm, solicitor was hoping for around lunchtime!

Year13novice · 19/09/2023 05:46

Usually keys are always collected from Estate Agent and you’d need to show photo ID to prove you were the actual new owner. Unlikely the EA would have 1.5hrs spare either to drive to meet you at the property. It’s a pain.

FallingAutumnLeaf · 19/09/2023 06:32

My instinctive answer was you need to go to the estate agent HOWEVER the online estate agents must have a way round this. So I'd try and find out what strike/purple bricks arrangement is and suggest that.
Is the solicitor local?

WingingIt101 · 19/09/2023 06:48

Our first house we had to go to EA to collect - 30 mins drive on from new house, but the second they had a key safe and when they EA was satisfied funds had transferred they called and gave us the key box code

Notsoadmirablecrichton · 19/09/2023 07:03

Sounds like there’s two of you. One finishes up at the old house. One goes ahead to fetch keys from the estate agent. We did this and DP had lunch in the town where the estate agent was while waiting. I supervised the cleaner and last bits of packing up then got a lift over with a friend (one car family - if two cars even easier).

Overthebow · 19/09/2023 07:10

We had to pick them up from the estate agents.

Heronwatcher · 19/09/2023 07:32

Can someone not go ahead to the estate agent whilst the other person stays at the old house?

Letsnotargue · 19/09/2023 07:37

We bought through Purple Bricks and we picked up from the vendor at the house once we’d both been notified that funds had transferred.

Zonder · 19/09/2023 07:38

We met the vendor at a local cafe because it was more convenient for both of us.

However I've had a couple of friends recently not get the key til 4 or later due to delays in the money transfer. It seems a bit harsh of the removal company to charge waiting time.

Riverlee · 19/09/2023 07:39

We picked up from estate agents. Never heard of waiting time before.

FVFrog · 19/09/2023 07:44

Recently moved, rural property similar situation , estate agent met us there. Worth an ask.

Twiglets1 · 19/09/2023 08:03

We have always picked them up from the EA.

If you have 2 cars, one of you could go ahead and collect the keys before the other one leaves the house. If not then I would ask the EA if they could meet you at the house if you phone them when you are 1 hour away.

I'm not sure they would as it was strange of the vendor to choose an EA so far away from the house. But it's worth a try.

mondaytosunday · 19/09/2023 08:22

I've always collected the key, but in your case I'd ask the agent to meet you at the house. But you need to be fairly sure of your timings so ring them when an hour away for example.

TiredandLate · 19/09/2023 08:26

We got the keys at 5 past 5 after going down to the EA after they started hinting we would have to wait until the following day. Can't even remember what the hold up was but it wasn't the money as the solicitors had confirmed, they were just bloody useless.

RidingMyBike · 19/09/2023 08:41

One of us went to get the keys - you can lurk near the EA in a cafe.

Most recent purchase we completed at 11am but didn't get the keys until 4pm as the vendor was still mucking about packing.

Safest to assume it will be late and plan accordingly both for budgeting for the removal costs (the staff need paying even if they're just sitting waiting) and what you're planning to accomplish that day once you're in.

Original poster

CutesyUserName · 19/09/2023 08:43

Thanks for the replies and all the suggestions. I've read them all and noted what you all suggest but for various reasons the only options are - if the vendor is not still at the house - for one of us to stay (only one car) and the other drive on to the estate agent to collect the key, or to ask the owner to stash a key somewhere for when released funds are confirmed.

I'll ask the EA if they'll meet us at the house but I'm not hopeful (can't blame them - not part of the usual service).

OP posts:

manontroppo · 19/09/2023 08:51

If you're in any kind of chain I'll be amazed if you get the keys before 2pm. Even in our first move where there was no chain we didn't get keys until 4pm, so watch out for that.

CornedBeef451 · 19/09/2023 09:22

We officially didn't complete until 4pm but went to the new house a bit earlier and the vendors just gave us the keys.

I did point out they didn't have to and that we didn't actually own it yet but was very grateful as I had 4 cats in the car and really just wanted a room to put them in.

Moving is always a bit of a nightmare and I would be very surprised if you completed before 4pm. We never have and have moved 3 times.

The worst one was 4.45 on the Friday before Christmas, if it fell through we would have been homeless for 2 weeks until all the solicitors opened up again. That was a bit stressful.

God luck, hope it goes smoothly. Definitely budget for the extra moving charges.

good96 · 19/09/2023 10:52

Have you not got a relative or friend that can fetch for you? One of my friends relocated here about 4 years ago, the sale completed at 1pm. It was a 350 mile trip (took 5 hours) so didn’t arrive here till gone 6pm and EA closed.

They contacted the EA and arranged for me to collect the keys to the property with photo ID (they had my name beforehand)
That is a solution?
Is there a masterlock key safe on the property? They could be left in there?

I certainly wouldn’t not be leaving keys under plant pots or door mats. It’s not worth the risk as for all you know there could be someone lurking… best to be safe…

good96 · 19/09/2023 10:53

Also, the advantages of having someone collect the key on your behalf is that the removals can leave earlier and get to the new property before you arrive and your belongings are off loaded. Makes it easier for all parties..

OnAFrolicOfMyOwn · 19/09/2023 10:54

We picked them up from the EA.

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 19/09/2023 11:36

Last time we moved, once the solicitor had informed us that we had completed, we rang the estate agent and he said the vendors wouldn't be leaving as they hadn't emptied the house yet. After a number of phone calls back and forth between me, the agent and the solicitors, we were told to just go to the house, where the vendors would give us the keys on their way out. When we got there, five hours after completing, they were still loading things into the car and mopping floors. Then they handed us the keys and stood outside the front door, telling how sad they were to leave all their memories, while we waited for them to leave so we could get beds sorted for our two small kids. It was excruciating.

NewFriendlyLadybird · 19/09/2023 11:39

We split up — I went to collect the keys and my husband dealt with everything else. The other thing we did was hire a delivery firm that packed up our stuff the day before and held it overnight while we spent the night in short term accommodation. Mind you, we were moving locally.

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