Make Sure You Get the Alarm Code to Your New Home Before Settlement!

When looking to buy a house, it can be an added bonus that a potential home has a security system already installed.  The most common are the basic alarm systems that sound a noise when doors or windows are opened or compromised.  If you’ve seen the homes with “This Home Protected By [COMPANY]“ signs in the front yard or window, you know what I’m talking about.  Many people go the extra step and also get the monitoring service, which links your system to the security company so they can immediately call police or emergency services for you.

But what if you don’t have the pass code from the sellers? What if you’ve moved into a home with an alarm system you can’t even use?  Such is the dilemma of many new homeowners buying foreclosed or distressed homes, however this happens with your run of the mill resales as well.

If you find yourself in this unhappy situation, here are some options:

• Have your Realtor try to get the pass code from the sellers or previous owners

Sometimes, a space on a disclosure was simply left blank or it was a detail that hadn’t crossed anyone’s mind until after settlement.  Your Realtor can get in touch with the seller’s or their agent to try and obtain the current pass code.

• Call the alarm company and request the pass code be reset

While not always successful, it doesn’t hurt to call the alarm system company and request that the pass code be reset.  Be aware that many companies will not do so unless you opt to sign up for their monitoring program.  It can be a very useful program, but it will cost you money.  If you simply want to be able to arm and disarm the alarm, calling the alarm company may not work.

• Call local alarm installer to see if they’ll help you out

For a fee, you can see if an installer will replace the “brain” board of your system to allow you to set a new code.  It may cost you $100 for the new board and whatever labor fee the installer would charge, but it would be cheaper than replacing the system or signing a monitoring program contract.

• Reset the system yourself

Sometimes, you’ve just got to take matters into your own hands!  Take note of the exact make and model number of the unit and search online using phrases such as “resetting alarm code [MAKE] [MODEL #]” or “reset default alarm code [MAKE] [MODEL #]” for instructions.  You may get lucky and find a how-to by someone who’s already gone through the process, or you may find a way to get your hands on the instruction manual for your system.  By resetting it to the factory default code, you can either use that to arm/disarm the system, or follow the instructions to set a new code of your choice.

• Accept defeat

Sometimes, no matter what you do, you just can’t win.  If you’ve not been successful with any other options, then you may need to simply cut power to the alarm system so you don’t accidentally set it off without a way to turn it off.  From here, you can either remove all the wall keypads to just remove any sign of it, or you can bite the bullet and have a newer system installed.

Obviously, the best way to avoid this situation is to make sure you get the pass code at settlement.  Since the home is usually not changing hands until settlement, you won’t be able to get the code until you actually have the keys in hand.

If you’re looking for a new home with amenities that would help protect your family, contact me today!

Jonathan Benya

Realtor

Century 21 New Millennium

9405-A Chesapeake Street 301-609-9000 Office

La Plata, Maryland 20646 301-653-8116 Mobile