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Original poster

Did you change the locks when you bought your house?

91 replies

AreWeHavingFunYet · 28/05/2012 14:56

We have just bought a new house.

A few people have suggested to me that we should change the locks as it is impossible to tell who has extra keys that haven't been passed on.

However it is another expense and I'm not sure if it's worth it.

Is it normal to change the locks when you move?

OP posts:
Original poster
AreWeHavingFunYet · 29/05/2012 20:05

PigletJohn I'd never have thought of that. And if you are seen climbing out through a broken window with a suitcase it is fairly obvious you are up to no good whereas if you waltz out of the door you might not arouse much suspicion.

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 29/05/2012 20:07
Grin
tricot39 · 29/05/2012 20:29

Yes we changed the locks and added london bar etc. It cost 150 for 2 mortice and 1 yale plus copies etc. That was doing it ourselves and buying BS locks to fit existing holes.

My mum met a woman who rented a house which was emptied by previous tenants who kept their key. No insurance cover. Heartbreaking. In that context 150 isnt a lot compared to what is at stake.

plutocrap · 30/05/2012 10:51

Grin at swapping the looseats!

I echo the thanks for the extra info about locks and keys. We're moving soon, so we'll be making use of all of this information.

Just wnated to add: aren't Banham locks meant to be very good, too, not least because the keys can't be copied except with permission (unless you get a crooked locksmith, I suppose... Hmm)?

takeonboard · 30/05/2012 10:58

We didn't change the locks when we moved to our current home as it has an alarm so we simply changed the code.

We have in the past but not every time, it really depends who lived in it before you, there are no guarantee's but you probably have a gut feeling. If the house had been rented for a while there are likely to be a lot of keys in circulation so I would change the locks.

PigletJohn · 30/05/2012 11:41

yes, Banham are very expensive, at hundred of pounds each. Various makers do protected key profiles. If you go down that route, consider the cost of changing the lock or cylinder every time your cleaning lady, nanny or butler moves on.

I think if I was splashing out anew, and had a very strong solid door, and plenty of money that I didn't mind spending, I might go for an Ingersoll London Line deadlock and nightlatch, suited to the same key. It would cost several hundred. For all practical purposes, for any normal person in a normal house, a Union BS deadlock and a BS nightlatch would do as well at maybe one-tenth the price, but you would have to carry two keys.

Good locks on the front door just means the burglar will have a look round the back and the windows, so one strong point and one weak point is no good.

If you leave keys on the hall table, where they can be seen through the letterbox or window, you hardly need bother locking the door.

Rollmops · 30/05/2012 22:33

PigletJohn, as the voice of authority in all matters security related, how would you make a heavy wooden door that has large single glass panes [beats head agains wall] more secure? Can't change door as it's anicent and listed. Sad

PigletJohn · 30/05/2012 22:41

laminated glass. With (sticky) glazing tape on the frame rebate side as well as hardwood bead held in by tiny unobtrusive rustproof screws, which you can paint over. The glass will probably be 7mm thick, though you can buy thicker. The tape is slightly spongy so will prevent the glass rattling and will accomodate slight unevenness. It is available in black or brown. The brown is IMO not very wood colour. If you need to prevent rain getting in on the outside, use a very little silicone sealant, not putty.

You can get obscure laminated glass, but it is not as deeply patterned as rolled or glass used to be.

BrittaPerry · 30/05/2012 22:45

I have always rented and you aren't allowed to change rental properties locks, so...

I have never been broken into, but then my parents never locked their doors on their old house (I remember panics when we were going on holiday so thought we should make the effort, and nobody could find the keys :-) ) and they never got robbed either. Well, they did, but only the motorbikes from the front garden.

My Dad's philosophy was that it would cost more to replace a broken door than anything they might nick from his house :-D

They lock up now, but only because my nana lives there and she worries.

PigletJohn · 30/05/2012 22:49

"you aren't allowed to change rental properties locks"

yes you are.

CurrySpice · 30/05/2012 22:56

Are you an ironmonger John?

BrittaPerry · 30/05/2012 22:56

Really? All of mine have said in the agreement that you have to have permission, you have to pay all costs, that the landlord gets to choose the lock and the fitter and they get keys, as does the agent. So it seems inpractical.

Hmmm.

OK, while we are on security. Our house has an alarm, but the LL told us the code, we forgot it and now the LL has forgotten it too. Is there usually a way of changing the code on an alarm without knowing the current code?

CointreauVersial · 30/05/2012 23:10

It didn't occur to me to change the locks when we moved in here, but we figured the elderly couple we bought from wouldn't be the sort to drive 300 miles and burgle the house.

Any burglar is far more likely to find a secluded window and get through that. So they are firmly locked, and the side gates too.

I always remember that advice about not making it easy for burglars to get out of your house with their swag. If they have to climb out of a window and over your fence because they can't open/unlock a door they probably won't bother stealing your giant plasma screen TV.

Rollmops · 30/05/2012 23:16

Thank you! Brilliant! Whoshoud I get to do the job, as in carpenter or...? Glass...eer...pro?
[thick, moi]

starfishmummy · 30/05/2012 23:23

More or less the first thing we did was change the locks because we were fairly sure that we had not been given all of the keys. We were given twos sets - the previous owner had a husband, an 18yo son and we knew that she also took lodgers, so we were sure there must have been other keys.

starfishmummy · 30/05/2012 23:29

Zuzu - the people we bought off changed the seat for us as they took their fancy wooden one with them and left us with a cheap plastic one. Still in its wrapper, by the side of the loo!

She also left us a nice set of storage jars and some pyrex bowls; still in their bag with the labels on. I'm guessing they were left by accident, but as we didn't have a forwarding address for them......

PigletJohn · 30/05/2012 23:46

Glazier.

CurrySpice · 31/05/2012 05:52

That makes sense John!

Rollmops if you're not going to DIY then you'll need a locksmith

CurrySpice · 31/05/2012 05:52

Oh sorry rollmops, thought you were the op. Blush

PigletJohn · 31/05/2012 08:07

me not glazier!

rollmops needs glazier Grin

Joiner could do it but for taped in laminate, cut accurately, glazier better.

PigletJohn · 31/05/2012 10:19

BrittaPerry Our house has an alarm, but the LL told us the code, we forgot it and now the LL has forgotten it too. Is there usually a way of changing the code on an alarm without knowing the current code?

Usually not as it would be so convenient for a crook to change it.

I am guessing it is not under a maintenance contract. You could ask the previous tenant, and try 0000, 1234, 4321, 9999.

What is the make (and model if visible)?

Original poster
AreWeHavingFunYet · 31/05/2012 11:00

It's interesting to see peoples reasons for changing or not changing the locks.

I think the previous owners of our house are very nice people and my feeling about them is that they are extremely honest.

My motivation to change is more that I don't know who they have given other keys to. If it's the neighbour I may well in time choose to ask the same neighbour to hold a key for us but I want that to be my choice.

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Original poster
AreWeHavingFunYet · 31/05/2012 11:13

PigletJohn you are an oracle of truly useful information. Grin

Rollmops I'm glad someone else is as confused as me about who should do what and how.

I always feel extremely vulnerable when I need to get stuff done around the house. I am sure it is obvious I am clueless and therefore easily taken advantage of.

The programmes on the BBC also make you think everyone is just waiting to rip you off Confused

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janmoomoo · 31/05/2012 17:59

First thing we do when we move - change the locks and change the toilet seats!

Original poster
AreWeHavingFunYet · 01/06/2012 16:26

PigletJohn If you're around can I ask yet another question please? Blush

We got the keys for the new house today (all seven sets of them Grin )

The main lock on the front door we are going to change as per your recommendations. However there are two further dead locks at the top and bottom of the door that lock with a long round key a bit like this

My question is are these sorts of locks any good in which case we should replace like with like or are we better to replace the bottom one with a different lock that will probably be a different size?

Thanks!

OP posts: