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Reasons to Change Your Locks When You Move House
Getting the keys to a new home feels final. The boxes are in, the kettle is somewhere, and the front door finally closes behind you. But there is one awkward truth about those keys: you rarely know how many copies exist, or who still has them.
Changing your locks after moving house is one of the simplest ways to take control of your new home’s security. It is usually quick, often less disruptive than people expect, and it gives you certainty from day one.
You do not know who has a spare key
Most homes gather spare keys over time. Previous owners may have given copies to relatives, friends, neighbours, cleaners, dog walkers, carers, tradespeople, estate agents, or tenants. Some copies come back. Some do not.
That does not mean anyone has bad intentions. It simply means the key history is unclear.
A seller might hand over every key they can find and still miss one that was cut years ago. A landlord might have changed tenants several times. A former housemate might still have a key on an old keyring in a drawer. Once keys are out in the world, they are hard to trace.
Changing the locks removes that uncertainty. From the moment the new lock is fitted, only the keys you issue will work.
This is especially important if:
The property has had several previous owners or tenants
It was rented before you bought it
It has been empty for a while
Contractors had access during repairs or renovations
You received fewer keys than expected
The seller seemed unsure how many keys existed
Even if everything about the move was friendly and straightforward, fresh locks give you a clean break.
Moving day creates a security gap
Moving house can be chaotic. Doors stay open while boxes come in. Keys pass between estate agents, removals teams, family members, and trades. People come and go. It is easy to lose track of who has handled what.
During that period, the property may be more exposed than it will ever be again. You might also leave valuable items in plain sight while unpacking, including electronics, tools, jewellery, documents, and car keys.
This is why many people arrange a lock change for the day they complete, collect keys, or move in. It closes the gap before routines settle.
If same-day lock replacement is not possible, take a few short-term precautions:
Keep keys with one named person
Do not leave spare keys under mats, pots, bins, or meter boxes
Lock doors even while moving items in and out
Check windows, patio doors, garages, and side gates before leaving
Move valuables away from windows overnight
These steps help, but they do not replace the certainty of a new lock.
Old locks may be worn, weak, or outdated
A lock can look fine from the outside and still be past its best. Internal parts wear down. Keys start to stick. Cylinders loosen. Latches fail to throw properly. Door alignment shifts over years of use.
When you move in, you inherit all of that history.
A stiff lock might seem like a minor annoyance, but it can become a bigger problem when it fails at the worst possible time. That might be late at night, during bad weather, or when you are trying to leave for work. A worn lock can also be easier to force than a modern, correctly fitted one.
Changing the locks gives you a chance to inspect the whole door setup, not just the key. A locksmith can check:
Whether the lock type suits the door
Whether the strike plate lines up correctly
Whether the door closes cleanly
Whether the cylinder sticks out too far
Whether the handles, latch, or gearbox show wear
Whether the lock meets current security expectations
This matters on front doors, back doors, side entrances, garage doors, and any door that gives access to the main home.
Your home insurance may expect proper security
Home insurance policies often include conditions about locks. The exact wording varies, but insurers may expect external doors and accessible windows to have certain types of locks, especially at night or when the home is empty.
If you move into a property and keep old, unsuitable, or damaged locks, you could run into problems later if you need to make a claim. This is not about fear. It is about making sure your home matches what your policy says.
Check your policy documents for references to:
Five-lever mortice deadlocks
Multi-point locking systems
Key-operated window locks
Locking requirements for patio or French doors
Security conditions when the property is unoccupied
If the wording is unclear, ask your insurer before assuming. A locksmith can also identify what is currently installed and explain what may need upgrading.
This is informational only and not insurance advice. Policy terms differ, so your own insurer’s wording is what matters.
Rekeying may be enough in some cases
Changing your locks does not always mean replacing every full lock mechanism. In some cases, a locksmith can rekey a lock. That means they alter the internal pins or mechanism so the old keys stop working and a new key operates the lock.
Rekeying can be a good option when:
The lock is in good condition
The existing hardware is suitable for the door
You mainly want to stop old keys from working
You want several doors to work from one key, where suitable
You want a faster or less expensive solution than full replacement
Full replacement is usually better when the lock is damaged, outdated, poorly fitted, or below the level of security you want.
The right choice depends on the lock type. Some common domestic locks can be rekeyed. Others cannot. If you are unsure, take clear photos of the locks and ask a qualified locksmith what options are available.
You can upgrade security at the same time
Moving house is a natural time to improve security because you are already dealing with doors, keys, and access. A simple lock change can be paired with practical upgrades that make everyday life safer and easier.
That might include anti-snap cylinders on suitable uPVC or composite doors, stronger strike plates on timber doors, sash jammers where appropriate, extra bolts on side gates, or better garage security.
The best upgrades are not always the most expensive. They are the ones that fit the property and the way you use it.
For example, a home with a back lane and a detached garage may need different attention from a flat with a communal entrance. A house with young children may need secure but easy-to-use internal routines. A property with frequent deliveries may benefit from a safe parcel solution rather than leaving packages visible by the door.
Think about the home as a whole:
Area to check | Why it matters |
Front door | It is the main entry point and gets the most daily use |
Back door | It may be more hidden from neighbours or passers-by |
Patio doors | Older locks can be weak or poorly aligned |
Side gates | They can give access to the rear of the property |
Garage | It may contain tools, bikes, or a door into the home |
Windows | Ground-floor and accessible windows need proper checks |
A new home deserves security that matches how it is actually laid out.
Lost keys are more common during a move
Keys go missing easily during a relocation. They get placed in coat pockets, dropped into open boxes, left in a handbag, handed to a helper, or mixed up with garage and window keys.
If a key disappears and you cannot say where it went, treat it seriously. The risk may be low, but the uncertainty is the problem. If the key also has an address label attached, or was lost near the property, changing the lock becomes more urgent.
The same applies if you moved from rented accommodation and carried old key habits with you. Many people keep spare keys on rings with labels, fobs, or other identifiers. During a busy move, it is easy for one to go astray.
After you change the locks, build a simple key routine:
Give keys only to people who genuinely need them
Avoid writing your address on key tags
Keep spare keys in a secure place indoors
Record who has a spare
Ask for keys back when access is no longer needed
Replace locks again if a key is lost in suspicious circumstances
Good key control is often just as important as the lock itself.
Previous disputes can follow a property
Most property handovers are ordinary and peaceful. Still, some homes come with background complications. A former tenant may have left on poor terms. A relationship breakdown may have involved shared access. A property may have been repossessed. A house share may have had several people moving in and out.
You do not need to know every detail to make a sensible decision. If anyone who no longer lives there might still have a working key, a lock change is a calm and practical step.
This is not about assuming conflict. It is about setting a boundary. Your home should not depend on other people remembering to return copies.
For rented properties, tenants should check their tenancy agreement and speak to the landlord or letting agent before changing locks. In many places, landlords need access for emergencies and agreed inspections, but they should also respect the tenant’s right to quiet enjoyment. The safest route is to get written agreement and make sure the correct people have any required access.
Smart locks still need a reset
If your new home has a smart lock, keypad, key safe, alarm system, garage remote, or video doorbell, changing the physical keys is only part of the job.
Digital access can linger too.
Previous owners may know PIN codes. Old users may still be saved in an app. Spare fobs may exist. A tradesperson may have been given a temporary access code that was never removed.
When you move in, reset digital systems where possible and create new access details. Check:
Smart lock users
Keypad PINs
App permissions
Alarm codes
Garage remotes
Gate access fobs
Key safe combinations
Video doorbell accounts
If a device is still linked to someone else’s account and cannot be reset, contact the manufacturer or replace it. You should control both the physical and digital routes into your home.
A lock change gives peace of mind
Security is not only about preventing a break-in. It is also about feeling settled.
The first nights in a new place can feel strange. Every sound is unfamiliar. You may not yet know which floorboards creak, how the heating clicks, or what noises come from the street. Knowing the locks are new removes one worry from that adjustment period.
Peace of mind has practical value. It helps you relax, sleep, leave the house confidently, and focus on the many other tasks that come with moving.
A lock change is a small job compared with unpacking, decorating, redirecting post, updating utilities, and learning a new area. Yet it has an immediate effect. Once it is done, it is done.
Which locks should you change first?
If you cannot change every lock at once, focus on the doors that create the highest risk.
Start with any exterior door that gives direct access to the home. That usually means the front door, back door, side door, and internal door from an attached garage. Then move on to outbuildings, gates, sheds, and garages.
Do not forget less obvious access points. A side gate key in the wrong hands can allow someone to reach a hidden back door. A garage key may give access to tools that could be used to force entry. A shared or communal entrance may have separate rules, so check with the building owner, managing agent, or residents’ association before making changes.
A practical order looks like this:
Main external doors
Secure the doors that lead directly into the home.
Garage and connecting doors
Pay attention to any garage with internal access.
Patio, French, or sliding doors
Check alignment, lock condition, and key control.
Side gates and rear access
Reduce hidden access around the property.
Sheds and outbuildings
Protect tools, bikes, ladders, and garden equipment.
This approach gives you the biggest security gain first.
When should you arrange the lock change?
The best time is as soon as you legally have access and permission to make changes. For buyers, that is usually completion. For renters, it means following the tenancy agreement and getting any required consent.
Many people book a locksmith in advance for moving day or the day after. That reduces delay and means you are not trying to arrange security while surrounded by boxes.
Before the appointment, gather basic details:
Door material, such as timber, uPVC, composite, or metal
Lock type, if you know it
Photos of the inside and outside of each lock
Notes about sticking, loose handles, or damaged keys
How many new keys you need
Whether you want one key for multiple doors if possible
Ask for clear information about parts, labour, call-out charges, and any warranty before work begins. A trustworthy locksmith should explain your options without pressuring you into unnecessary upgrades.
Keep your new keys under control
Once the new locks are fitted, handle the keys carefully from the start. Cut only the number you need. If you give a spare to someone, make a note of it. If a contractor needs access, arrange a temporary method rather than handing out permanent keys without a plan.
Avoid hiding keys outside. Burglars know the common places, including plant pots, fake rocks, bins, ledges, meter boxes, and under doormats. If you need emergency access, consider a properly fitted key safe in a discreet location, and change the code when needed.
It also helps to separate house keys from anything that identifies your address. If keys are lost, you do not want them paired with a document, tag, or fob that points straight back to the property.
The takeaway
Changing the locks when you move house is a simple way to make the home truly yours. It removes unknown spare keys, deals with worn or unsuitable locks, supports insurance requirements, and helps you settle with confidence.
You do not need to assume the worst about previous occupants. You only need to accept that you cannot control old keys. New locks, or rekeyed locks where suitable, give you a clear starting point.
Before the moving dust settles, check every entrance, decide what needs replacing, and take charge of who can open your door.
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