Should You Change Your Locks When You Move To A New Home?
When you move home there are so many things to do that security may not be at the top of your mind. Usually, people are excited to move their belongings in and unpack so they can return to their normal routine. But what should be most important to a new owner or tenant is changing the door locks to protect you in the event some keys end up in the wrong hands. Having new locks and keys will ensure you and your family are the only ones that can enter your new home.
Often, previous residents may still have several copies of your keys. Not only does this cause a safety issue for you as a new resident, it can also be a cause of insurance problems in the future. Most people don’t know that homes are often broken into by people who knew the previous owners. This is why changing your locks is so important.
In addition, it’s a good idea to examine the locks to see if they are up to British Standard or in the case of Euro Profile locks, are they Anti-Snap locks?
This photo is of an ERA 5 Lever BS 3621 sashlock on a wooden door. You can see the kite mark just above the bottom screw.
You can add extra security by adding another mortice deadlock, rim cylinder and rack bolts to the door.
This is a TS 007 Ultion 3* Anti snap lock used in doors with a Euro Profile, such as UPVC and composite doors.
Be sure to change the locks on every entrance to the home including side doors and basements even though they may not be used as often as your front or back doors. The most important areas to secure are the exterior doors including the door connecting the garage to the house and the main garage door.
You could choose to change the locks yourself but moving into a new home can be stressful and the time it would take to learn about how to install them properly may be better spent on other things. A qualified locksmith makes it their profession to quickly and effectively get the job done for you. It’s an extra expense you hadn’t planned, but well worth doing so you can sleep well knowing your personal property is safe and secure.