Do you change the locks/front door/ toilet seat when you move house?

[Aquacrab]

Did you change the locks/front door/ toilet seat when you moved house?

Seems common sense to change the locks, although I hadn't actually thought about it until recently. My friend is moving and the seller they bought house from lives a short walk from the house 🤔Seller dragged their heels for ages and left the house quite untidy. They left a number of keys for the door. Friend wonders how many other copies of the key might exist.

I always change locks when I move.

Yes, absolutely the property we sold last had been used as a Rental so as you say there could be a number of keys knocking around.
I did change the locks for them before we left. I don’t know whether they changed them again though.

I got the locks changed when I moved home, although I did not hurry to do so. I changed the toilet seat as soon as humanly possible.

Lock yes toilet seat no. Although I'd give it a good scrub

Yes to locks and toilet seat.

Front doors are quite spendy though…

Always change the locks, anyone could have a spare key.
Toilet seat only if it's broken or ancient. They are easy to clean.

Why would you need to change the front door itself?

We changed the front door lock when we moved but actually forgot about the back. The key is always in it though and we’re 3 years in so I don’t fret about it now. Toilet seats just got a good clean, would only replace if broken or not to my taste.

Locks - yes
Front door - no
Toilet seat - no

I didn’t change the locks. Still in touch with the people I bought it from and they live locally.

Locks make sense. Bit baffled by anyone changing the toilet seat.

Locks only. Toilet seat is an odd one! No of course not. Think how often you share toilet seats at work, at the theatre, at dinner, friends houses... just give it a clean.

Change the locks

When I moved into a previous house the sellers kept a key & let themselves back in a few days later to collect some stuff they'd left in the attic.
I came in & immediately knew someone had been in the house, attic access hadn't been shut properly.
Called the police (single mum 2x 2yo) they came, checked in with neighbours & 3 different ones had seen them. Got the new address & went round & read the riot act.
I could have taken action against them but life was hectic at the time.

Locks: definitely a 'yes' to that.
Toilet seat: no if it's in good condition, wash, disinfect with bleach.

Always change the locks back and front doors. Also change all the loo seats. It’s expensive but worth it. I also deal with commercial property and the first thing I do.? Get all the locks changed!

I have changed the barrel of a Yale lock, but not a Chubb. I have changed a toilet seat, but only because I didn't like it. And I would only change the front door if I didn't like it (eg replace a plasticky one with a traditional wood door).

Locks absolutely after my last move when I didn’t change them because it was old doors we would be changing fairly soon. But then I kept smelling strange smells when I came home and it turned out the prev owner was letting themselves in to see what we were doing.

No never, but I've never bought a house. Living in rentals they aren't your locks I suppose.

Changing locks is a simple and worthwhile task which anyone with very basis DIY tools & skills can carry out.
As PP's have said, how many keys are out there?
Very rarely is it necessary to replace the whole lock (only on the case of a mortice) and instead the lock barrel/euro cylinder can be replaced with a new one which can be bought from the likes of Screwfix etc. Even replacing a mortice lock like for like is a simple enough task.
New barrels/cylinders usually come with multiple keys so your spares are sorted.

Toilet seat?
No but it would be given a REALLY good clean (as would the whole bathroom, sinks etc).

Yes to changing locks. I will be changing the front door when we move in a few days but that is because it needs replacing. No to toilet seats.

You can change the barrel in a rental and just replace it after.

i change them between tenants, and tell them one done so, but totally understand if they want to change them also.

Front door is easier than some to break into. Friend is used to sturdy front door in previous homes.

I always change the locks on day one. I get any carpets that are staying professionally cleaned.

Everything that I will use gets a very thorough deep clean. When I bought an older house i had to wait a few months before I replaced bathrooms and kitchens. I didn’t enjoy using the bathrooms - and could veneer bring myself to have a bath😂

Surely there's a law against them letting themselves in?

I didn’t change anything although in hindsight changing the locks makes sense. I wouldn’t have a clue how to go about doing that though.