Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Changing locks when buying a house

80 replies

PraiseBee · 28/09/2021 10:50

How many people changed the locks when they moved into a new place? My friend said they changed theirs but it didn't cross my mind until they said.

OP posts:
TheHouseILiveIn · 28/09/2021 14:09

@ftw163532

You don't need a locksmith to change door locks if you already have the existing key. Just buy the same type and switch it out.

It's incredibly foolish not to change the locks.

Yes, it's incredibly easy. I'm amazed people use locksmiths!
DrinkingWishingSmokingHoping · 28/09/2021 14:27

It was over a year after our old neighbours moved out that I realised I still had their spare key hanging in the kitchen. The new neighbours looked quite shocked when I took it round. Grin

Garriet · 28/09/2021 14:51

Changed both front and back door locks the same day.

FollowYourOwnNorthStar · 28/09/2021 14:53

Yes, one of the first things I did. I was especially glad I had it booked when the Estate Agent gave me 9 front door keys. The place had been rented before, and it looked like every tenant, their partner and their parents had a key!

The locksmith was great. I wasn’t given keys for some window locks, but he put new ones in and also keyed all the doors and windows to the same key. It was cheaper than I expected, and definitely worth the money in peace of mind.

I hadn’t heard of changing the toilet seat!

TuckMyWin · 28/09/2021 15:15

We did in our last house before this one. We were handed one key by the owners. They were a couple with three teenage children.

We didn’t in our current house. We know and trust the old owners.

Dbank · 28/09/2021 15:18

Bear in mind your insurance probably wouldn't payout if someone gained entry without force.

So yes I change them. For Euro barrels I also use ABS anti-snap and keyed alike where possible.

bungabungaboo · 28/09/2021 16:14

Timpsons do it Wink

chickenhunter · 28/09/2021 16:25

I did it moving here. Previous owner was a troubled soul and her adult children all had keys but didn't give them all to us. Changing the locks meant we had peace of mind.

Amijustagrump · 28/09/2021 16:30

A year after we bought our house we had a knock on the door to say sorry we have your spare set of keys.. it was the former owners ex daughter in law! Thank god we had changed them on day 1..

Washeduponthebeach · 28/09/2021 16:30

I would t have the first idea where to start to switch the locks.

Bananacocks · 28/09/2021 16:37

We didn't but in hindsight I absolutely would. We have changed the locks recently for thumb turn ones, and as others have said it is super easy.
I still have a key for my parents old house as it has a lot of sentimental value, not too worried though cos the door is not even there anymore 🤣

MintJulia · 28/09/2021 16:48

I came home twice to discover the front door had been opened despite definitely being locked. I'd locked the inner door thankfully, so they didn't get any further but I have since replaced all exterior doors and windows (they needed doing anyway).

FortunaMajor · 28/09/2021 16:51

@Washeduponthebeach

Out of curiosity, how much does it cost?
Depends on the type of lock but new barrels are between £10-25. It's a 2 minute job and incredibly easy to do. I've since needed a locksmith to do the front after the barrel failed and the screw was damaged and was charged £30 all in.
purplesequins · 28/09/2021 16:53

every time.
right after we get the keys.
even when in rented.
we pay for a locksmith but to change the barrel is quite easy.

2bazookas · 28/09/2021 17:24

Never.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 28/09/2021 17:24

Always

cortex10 · 28/09/2021 17:50

My friend was home alone a couple of weeks after moving in to her new home and the vendor let himself in thinking she'd be back at work. He made a feeble excuse and hurried off but she was really shocked and scared. She thinks he probably was just being nosy but nevertheless it proves what can happen. Since hearing about that I've always advised changing the locks.

Lampzade · 28/09/2021 17:56

I rented a house from a friend who had previous tenants
I asked him to change the locks he told me that he had.
I barely left the house as I was heavily pregnant. Popped out to the supermarket only to find that the house had been broken into. There was no sign of forced entry. It turned out friend had not changed locks

HuhWhatNow · 28/09/2021 19:10

I didn't once and someone walked in while I was sat watching tv! It was a friend of an ex tenant from years ago! A friend good enough to have a key but not good enough to let them know they had moved. What was worse was that they were not exactly stand up citizens.

HeronLanyon · 28/09/2021 19:14

Oh bananacocks me too. I haven’t taken my lovely old ma’s key off my key ring just yet - she died two years ago. Assume new owners changed locks and I’m not exactly going over to find out ! Support.

privateinfo · 28/09/2021 19:21

Always one of the first jobs we do

Bumblebee413 · 28/09/2021 19:29

We bought a flat that had previously had 3 adults living in it- one key given to us by the estate agents. Changed the lock the day we moved in as the owner had been an utter nightmare throughout the buying process and had then left the flat in a complete state and fly tipped outside on moving day. 6 months after we moved in our front door got kicked in mid morning whilst we were at work. The strangest thing was that the building was absolutely full of workmen, so it was a really bold move. Every neighbour who heard about it said it was definitely the previous owner and it turned out there had been domestic abuse and drug problems. I think he came, tried his key and then kicked the door in in a fit of rage.

Always change the locks ASAP. You have no idea who could walk straight into your home if they fancied it.

Footle · 28/09/2021 19:40

I heard of someone who heard a noise in the night and found the previous owner's adult son asleep on the sofa, drunk as a skunk. Or possibly off his face on skunk, I know skunks came into it somewhere. Anyway they changed the locks after that.

OhRene · 28/09/2021 21:34

I change the locks of every house I rent and put the originals back when I leave at the end of the tenancy. I once had an awful landlord's agent (private, not company) who I eventually realised was coming into my house and messing with my stuff like chipping glasses on my draining board (I assume hoping that I would cut my mouth??) or moving my things around. He was being evicted by our landlord and was angry that I was on good terms with the Landlord.

There is no reason for a landlord to have a key. If he or she needs in, they need my permission, 24 hours notice or not. I have to say yes for them to come in. If I say no, (which I have rarely had reason to do but I do reserve the right) they need to evict. It's a LLs only recourse. Forcing entry is allowed for absolute emergencies only.

Beebumble2 · 28/09/2021 21:41

Always change the locks. We keep the old lock and keys and give them to family/ friends who move, so they can replace theirs if they are the right type. They then pass their old ones on.