Did you change locks when you moved into a new home?

[littlecontis]

If you did - did you just get the Yale ones from B&Q? Thanks.

@inappropriateraspberry

Never! And my husband is an estate agent. Unless there are concerns that someone else may still have a key, why would you need to?

Ultimately you never know who may have/have had a key for whatever readon. It would never occur to me not to change the locks. Each time I have done it the locksmith has said a variation of " Ah, someone sensible , I don't normally get called until there's been a break in"

We got one key with our first house purchase .

when we queried where all the rest of the keys as previoulsy onwer had said she was getting old keys off friends and family - we were told by estate agent and solicitor we should be changing the locks anyway.

We managed to change locks ourselves in the end.

This house is easier as it's just barrels needing to be changed - we did front door immediately then kept spare keys in back door locks so they can't be opened from outside - and have slowly done those locks.

This was the first thing I've ever done when I've bought any house is the change the locks first.

@inappropriateraspberry

Never! And my husband is an estate agent. Unless there are concerns that someone else may still have a key, why would you need to?

Always! And my husband is a police officer You have no idea who might have a key, why wouldn't you?

Every time. Mainly since I moved in to a rental as a renter myself, and the previous tenant tried to get back in a week later assuming I was out at work. I had the deadbolt and chain on thankfully, as I was working nights and about to go to sleep at home. I called the agency, told them what happened and the following day I had a locksmith out with the landlords blessing.

As someone who worked odd hours and spent many years living alone, I would 100% change the locks. It only takes one weird ex owner/owners mate who had a key to feed their cat to let themselves in and clean out your valuables.

Every time.

People give spare keys to others all the time so you would be daft not to.

One of the first things we do. So we are covered by the home insurance, you won’t be covered if your property was entered by key rather than aggravated entry.

I did when I moved into a rented flat that was frankly a bit dodgy in a dodgy area, fab views though.

Never on moving house....now live in super safe area. Doors left unlocked kind of place.

We have a gate at the bottom of the driveway and a 10ft wrought iron gate at the side of our house which leads to the front door and side and back garden. We changed both of those locks.
In my previous house, I returned a couple of days after moving in, to the previous owner letting herself in because she had forgotten something. She was embarrassed and apologetic but kind of laughing about it. She gave me her key but I changed the locks straight after.

Yes always. We keep the old locks and keys, we then use them on other houses or give them to family who have moved and want to change the locks on house doors and sheds. It’s saves money, our original lock must be very well travelled by now!

I have never changed locks and I have moved many, many times over the past 40 years.

Locksmith called.

Front and back door locks changed.

The place had been neglected for 10 years.We had to buy a complete new front door.

Beebumble2
Good idea

Yep absolutely. I know how many tradespeople, cleaners and others who I have given keys to that have not returned them (plus how many my teenage son has lost), so I really hope the new owners change them too.

@inappropriateraspberry

Never! And my husband is an estate agent. Unless there are concerns that someone else may still have a key, why would you need to?

You have no idea who may still have a key. Always change the locks

Yes.

not straight away as front door has drop bolts inside so even with the right key you cant get in from outside and ours was an estate sale which had been empty for quite a while, but coming in about a week after we bought the lock buggered up on the back door and we couldnt get in ourselves so called out a locksmith to get us in and that was a new lock anyway

Always ! You have no idea how many spare keys the last owner gave out.
I always change the locks and the toilet seats !

Yes, had the locksmith over as soon as the decorators and plumber had left (they had the keys to lock up when they finished each day). I also reinforced the door frames (after many years living in London where 2 neighbours had their hinges kicked in despite having good locks!!)

I picked up the keys, and had booked the locksmith ready for an hour later.

But I wasn't moving straight into the property for a few weeks and my seller was a bit... odd.

OMG changing the locks is the first thing I do when I buy a house. I get a locksmith out and and ask them to install their most secure lock. I can't believe that others don't do this! You have no idea who might have a key to your house!

Yes, got locksmith from Timpsons out to change locks.

The previous owners has lived here 17 yrs and who knows how many people had keys 🔑 🤷‍♀️

Yes, I did. Went to a key shop & asked the gent behind the counter to come and do it for me. He explained it’s quite easy & gave me instructions. It’s a bit fiddly but I got there in the end.