Change the locks on new house?

[HopefullyMoving]

Well, exactly that really.

When you've purchased a house, did you change the locks?

No I haven't but it is the sensible thing to do really.

We did. Day we moved in.

Yes we did, so on the day we moved in.

*also

Yes I had to as previous owner snapped a key in the lock as they left. Was planning on changing it anyway and only cost about £10.

A close friend did have the drunken grown up son of the previous owmers let himself into their house one night. He'd forgotten his parents had moved.

Always and we always change them between tenants on our rental properties too. I don't like not knowing who may have keys.

Yes, though only did the front door to start with and bolted the others from inside.

I did on my current house immediately because the outgoing owners, who were a household of two adults and at least 3 teens, gave us a total of one key for each door I'm not sure I'll make it a priority on the next house, who seem much more reasonable, assuming they do give as a normal amount of keys!

Yep, absolutely. Just the sensible thing to do.

Definitely. I have an empty property near me and the EA has lent keys for it to all manner of people quoting for work, etc.

*there is an empty property - it's not mine!

Yes, always.

Yes, but after we’ve finished having decorators/builders in etc. Also worth getting a key like a banham that can’t be copied easily

Yes, always change the locks, you don’t know how many friends/relations/builders/cleaners have had spare keys.

Great ok. So on my list....

1. Change the locks
2. Change the toilet seat!

It was the first thing we did. The house was a new build and while it was being built the keys were left under a stone for plumbers/kitchen fitters etc. There were five keys at the start and only one at the end.

Yes. Not just because you don't know who has the keys, but also because a lot of locks provide very little protection and I like to install more secure versions.

Yes always, but keep the lock and keys. You can then pass them on to someone else who is moving house.
Our son’s door lock is probably from 3 moves ago.

No. But we changed the alarm code. One door we have changed the locks for because they’d been using the wrong key and the lock eventually broke.

Change the toilet seat? Is there something wrong with it?

I never even thought about this! (I have hardly ever moved).

The last owner died (not in the house) so I guess if he wanted to get in he wouldn’t need a key

I’m having the doors changed soon anyway (+ I changed the code on the alarm) so hopefully I’ll be ok for a few months.

Yes, this house was probate sale and the owner died in it.
He had a bunch of carers, children,grand children and nice neighbours. All had a key.it's not those people with a key that bothered me. Its the people they know.

@TheHodgeoftheHedge well yes. It isn't my toilet seat. I don't like the idea of sitting on someone else's. Why would I not change it?!

yes, of course. You should change it the day you move in. It's easy. Otherwise you are effectively leaving your front, back and shed doors open to anyone who fancies a rummage.

If you photograph the old lock, including the face plate on the edge of the door which shows the makers name, we can advise you. It is an advantage to fit an identical lock which will go straight in and be a perfect fit. With cylinder locks you only need to change the cylinder (but may like to fit a better one)