How to get every key, code, manual and leftover from the seller
Decide what to ask the seller before closing, then send your agent one written list asking for every key, remote and code, smart devices removed from the sellers' accounts, manuals, service records, warranty papers and labeled leftover materials. Ask now, because sellers get harder to reach after closing and some warranty transfers run on a deadline.
What to ask the seller before closing, and why it can't wait
After closing, the people who know your house best have moved on, and you may have no direct way to reach them. While they still want the deal to close, a short written list gets you far more than a text three weeks later.
Warranties make this time-sensitive. Coverage usually doesn't pass to you by itself. Dwellrecord and the roofing group NRCIA both say transfers of a roof manufacturer's warranty often have a window of about 30 to 60 days from closing, and some allow just one transfer. Fees vary. The transfer clause in the warranty itself controls, so ask for the actual document.
What the sellers must leave depends on your purchase contract and state practice. Your agent or attorney can tell you what's included. Anything else on this list is a request, not a right.
Seller handoff checklist: keys, codes, warranties and more
| Ask for | Details that matter |
|---|---|
| Roof warranty | Certificate, registration proof and installation invoice. Installer workmanship warranties often don't transfer, so ask which kind it is |
| New-build warranty | If the house is recent, ask if a builder warranty is still running. Dwellrecord says transfer forms are often due in 30 to 60 days, with fees of about $50 to $500 |
| Appliances | Manuals and receipts. Dwellrecord says the original manufacturer's warranty, typically 1 year, usually follows the appliance |
| HVAC and water heater | Service records, install dates and any registered warranty, which may need a formal transfer |
| Access | All house keys, mailbox, gate and pool keys, garage remotes, keypad codes and alarm details |
| Smart devices | Doorbell, thermostat, locks and cameras removed from the sellers' accounts and factory reset |
| Finishes | Paint brand, color code and sheen for each room, and labeled leftovers of tile, flooring and roofing |
Smart devices need a clear request. Google's instructions for leaving a device behind have the old owner remove it in the app and then factory reset it. You can reset a device yourself if they forget, but a Nest camera still tied to another account may force you to wait up to 60 days for old video history to expire. Ask for this to be done before closing.
Treat everything you get as a starting point, not as security. Assume other copies of keys and codes exist. Opendoor suggests rekeying exterior locks on day one, and it estimates about $100 to $150 through a locksmith or about $20 per lock with a DIY kit. For garage openers, you can wipe all old remotes yourself. On many LiftMaster models, you hold the LEARN button until the LED goes out, about 6 seconds, then reprogram the remotes you're keeping. Check the manual for your model.
Expect some of their mail to keep arriving, too. USPS standard forwarding lasts one year for First-Class Mail and just two months for magazines and other periodicals, so it's worth agreeing up front how you'll pass along anything important.
How to work through your seller handoff checklist
- Write one list
Put every request in a single email to your agent, so it reaches the sellers in writing. Send it well before closing.
- Ask for warranty documents
Request certificates, registration proof and transfer forms, and ask how many owners the roof has had.
- Collect keys, remotes and codes
Include gates, pools and mailboxes. Test them at the final walkthrough if you can.
- Request smart-device removal
Ask the sellers to remove doorbells, locks, thermostats and cameras from their accounts and factory reset them before they leave.
- Get service history
Ask for records and contractor contacts for HVAC, the roof and the water heater. Install dates tell you how old each system is.
- Ask for paint and materials
Request the brand, color code and sheen for each room, and labeled leftovers. Photograph can labels in case the paint dries out.
- Start transfers right after closing
Contact each warranty issuer, get the steps in writing, pay any fee and confirm you're listed as the new owner.
- Reset access
Rekey exterior locks, erase garage remotes and change keypad codes in your first days.
What to ask the seller before closing if you have kids or pets
If you have small children, ask how pool gates, deck gates and any window locks work, and collect those keys before move-in day. Ask if there are any safety covers or latches stored in the garage.
If you have pets, ask the sellers about past pest treatments and where any traps or bait stations are. The ASPCA advises confirming that no poison traps were left in the house. Ask about fence repairs, gaps and any invisible fence system too. And check any leftover chemicals before you keep them, since a half-empty, unlabeled jug in the garage is a hazard for both pets and kids.
What homeowners say about what sellers leave for buyers
Ask specifically for transferable warranties on the roof, windows, siding, HVAC, water heater and garage door. One owner learned from a neighbor that the windows had a lifetime warranty under the previous owner. A cracked pane cost about $150 instead of a full replacement quote. (Reddit)
Ask the sellers for their vendor list: pest control, HVAC, appliance repair, lawn service. Those companies already know the house. Get prices before you keep any of them, though. One buyer called the seller's weekly lawn company and was quoted about $600 a month, so they bought a mower. (Reddit)
If the sellers built the house, ask for photos taken during construction. They show where pipes and wires run before you drill. Also ask who delivers their heating oil or propane, and get their phone and email, since mail forwarding runs out after a year. (Reddit)
Ask careful sellers for their own maintenance checklist and schedule, and keep their habits going. Owners agree the sellers know the house better than anyone. (Reddit)
Roof warranty transfer and other seller questions
Do home warranties and roof warranties transfer to the buyer?
Not automatically. Manufacturer roof warranties may transfer through a written process, often within about 30 to 60 days of closing, while installer workmanship warranties often don't. Check the transfer clause, and ask the seller about any home warranty contract, since those rules vary by company.
Does the seller have to leave garage door remotes?
It depends on your contract and local practice. Ask your agent to confirm it in writing before closing. If remotes are missing, you can usually erase old codes and program new ones.
How do I take over a smart thermostat or doorbell left by the seller?
Ask the seller to remove it from their account and factory reset it. Google says you can factory reset a device left behind and set it up in your own app, though a Nest camera still tied to the old account can take up to 60 days to free up.
Sources: support.google.com, support.chamberlaingroup.com, dwellrecord.com, nrcia.org, opendoor.com, USPS, ASPCA
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.