Selling a property and handing over the keys

cnocbui

My solicitor is insisting she can't release the funds to me without me first handing over the keys to the purchaser. Is this correct?

Normally I would be ok with it but I have recently developed trust issues regarding my solicitor and their conduct. The other party already have the title deeds so this seems to be giving them all the cards. It's an off-market sale without an REA.

Normally the keys are handed to the estate agent/solicitor who can confirm they have them.

Funds transferred and when confirmed by solicitor that they've been received. The keys are handed over.

It's mostly symbolic, you could still have a few spare sets of keys held back. Unless your solicitor's name is Saula Goodman, I wouldn't be worried about it.

cnocbui

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118669025#Comment_118669025

My solicitor says they have the funds, but they appear to have been dishonest about that previously, hence my concern.

They won't transfer the funds to you until they have the keys on the solicitors /Estate agents desk.

Needs to be a, level of trust

cnocbui

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118669088#Comment_118669088

Understood, but the trust seems all one way, in that they have the title deeds, which are likely near irreplaceable, given it's a folio.

I'll hand over one set of keys and post them the other once I have the funds.

I'm short on trust at the moment.

KeithTS

They have the deeds....the keys are pretty meaningless by comparison.

Pistachio19

We handed over the keys to EA when our solicitor received the funds from purchaser. He then sent us on the funds after his fee was deducted but after we had handed the keys over. I didn't even question it. The purchaser has done their part and your solicitor has been paid on your behalf. Anything after that is between you and your solicitor, not the purchaser - so no point penalising them by holding onto the keys. Chances are they will change the locks if they have any sense so you holding back sets of keys is not likely to affect anyone, but be a hassle for you to have to post them.

cnocbui

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118679620#Comment_118679620

I posted the keys and the purchasers solicitor has even acknowledged receiving them, not only that, but the purchaser has even picked up the keys, but the same solicitor hasn't bothered to notify my solicitor of this trifling detail so that the funds can be released.

If I seem impatient, you too might also be if the process had dragged into it's 13th month!

One of the locks may well date from the 19C, so good luck with changing that. Given two of the padlocks are expensive marine padlocks and the skinflint has only ever put cheap rubbish on the gate that rust and seize every couple of years, i don't see him going to the expense.

Claw Hammer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118679957#Comment_118679957

Why did you not give the keys to your solicitor to hand over. Whay are you part of the problem, not the solution?

cnocbui

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118689998#Comment_118689998

Because it seemed nuts to drive 40min only for someone else to put them in the post the following day, as they weren't there, adding to my costs. It's mostly sorted now as funds were paid out yesterday. That argument above about the deeds being more important was right. Why delay payment for the keys, when ownership of the property has been secured?

This is not a case of some young FTBs desperate to move in to their dream home, waiting on the keys, it's not that sort of property.

wildwillow

Padlocks could have been replaced with cheaper ones if the value was an issue. Only obligation is to secure the property until sale is closed.

cnocbui

The value of the padlocks wasn't an issue. It's 6 hours driving and €70 in fuel and €3.80 in tolls to change them, plus whatever cost to buy some Chinese made junk.

BattleCorp1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118690193#Comment_118690193

Selling a house and you are worried about €100?