The first night in a new home should feel exciting, not uncertain. When you change locks after moving house, you are taking control of who can access the property from day one. You may have received every key the seller knows about, but there is no reliable way to know how many copies have been made over the years.
A spare could be with a relative, a previous tenant, an old cleaner, a tradesperson or a neighbour who once fed the cat. Most people are trustworthy, of course, but moving home is the right moment to remove that question entirely. It is a simple security job that brings real peace of mind.
Should you change locks after moving house?
In most cases, yes. Changing the locks is sensible whether you have bought a house, moved into a flat or taken over a commercial unit. It is especially worthwhile if the property is older, has changed hands several times, has been rented out, or comes with only one or two sets of keys.
This does not always mean replacing every lock on every door. A professional locksmith can assess what is fitted, check whether it is working correctly and explain which cylinders or locks need changing. Sometimes a straightforward cylinder change is enough. In other cases, the lock is outdated, damaged or unsuitable for the door, so replacement is the better long-term option.
If you are a tenant, check your tenancy agreement before arranging work. Many landlords are happy for tenants to improve security, particularly if they receive a new key at the end of the tenancy, but it is best to agree this first. Landlords should also consider changing locks between tenancies, as a sensible way to protect new occupants and the property.
Keys are not the only reason to act
Unknown keyholders are the obvious concern, but a move is also a useful opportunity to look at the condition of your door security. The previous owner may have lived with a stiff lock, a loose handle or a door that needs a hard shove to close. Those issues can be easy to miss when you are focused on removals, utilities and unpacking.
A lock that sticks or a key that needs jiggling should not be ignored. Problems such as a worn euro cylinder, a failing multipoint lock or a misaligned door can worsen until the key will not turn at all. Sorting it before it becomes an emergency is usually less stressful and gives you time to choose the right solution.
It is also worth checking doors that are used less often. Rear doors, patio doors, side entrances, garages and communal doors may have different types of locking mechanisms. A front door might use a nightlatch and rim cylinder, while a timber door may have a mortise deadlock or sash lock. uPVC and composite doors commonly rely on multipoint locking systems. Each needs the right diagnosis rather than a one-size-fits-all replacement.
What a locksmith should check at your new home
A good visit is not about fitting the most expensive lock available. It is about understanding the door, the existing hardware and how you use the property. The right recommendation for a ground-floor flat may differ from that for a family house with a rear garden or a small office with staff access.
During a lock change, the key areas to consider are:
- whether external doors lock and unlock smoothly from both sides
- the condition and security rating of cylinders, mortise locks and nightlatches
- door and frame alignment, particularly where a multipoint lock is difficult to lift or operate
- whether handles, letterplates, hinges and door furniture leave weak points around an otherwise good lock
- how many keys are needed and whether you want separate access for a garage, shed or business premises
For many homes, replacing a euro cylinder is quick and cost-effective. The lock body may be perfectly sound, but the cylinder is the part operated by the key and can be changed without replacing the whole mechanism. On other doors, the issue may be a failed gearbox within a multipoint lock, a broken nightlatch or a mortise lock that no longer meets the level of security you want.
The practical point is this: ask for an explanation before work starts. You should understand what has been found, what needs doing and what it will cost. Clear pricing matters, particularly after the expense of a move.
When changing the lock is not enough
New locks cannot compensate for a door that is poorly fitted, damaged or failing to close into the frame properly. If the door has dropped, the keeps are loose or the frame is split, the locksmith may need to repair or adjust the surrounding parts as well. Otherwise, even a quality replacement lock can be put under unnecessary strain.
The same applies to doors with glazing. If a glass panel is close to the internal thumbturn or handle, the type of lock and hardware should be considered carefully. The safest answer depends on the door design, who lives in the property and the need to exit quickly in an emergency.
There are trade-offs with key-operated locks and thumbturn cylinders too. A thumbturn can be convenient for leaving the house quickly without a key, but it is not right for every arrangement. A locksmith should talk through the options in plain English, rather than fitting something because it happens to be the fastest item to install.
Do not forget windows, outbuildings and access points
Moving day is a good time to test every accessible window and door while rooms are still relatively clear. Window handles should lock properly, patio doors should lift and slide without force, and garage or shed doors should not rely on a tired padlock that has been there for years.
You do not need to turn your home into a fortress overnight. Start with the entrances that give direct access to the house, then address obvious faults and weak points. If budget is tight after completion, a locksmith can help you prioritise the work. Securing the front and rear doors first is often the sensible approach, with secondary doors and window repairs planned afterwards.
For landlords and small business owners, key control deserves extra thought. Consider who needs access, whether old staff or contractors may still have keys, and whether keys have been labelled with the property address. A controlled handover and a fresh set of locks can prevent awkward problems later.
Choosing a locksmith you can trust
Moving house comes with enough uncertainty without wondering who will arrive or whether the final bill will be different from the quote. Look for a local locksmith who will discuss the issue directly, explain the available options and give a clear price before starting work.
Be cautious of vague promises of very low call-out prices that do not explain labour, parts or possible extra charges. The cheapest headline figure is not always the cheapest finished job. You are paying for the right lock, fitted properly, by someone who can identify a fault rather than simply replacing parts at random.
At Key to the Door, Martin provides direct, practical advice based on the door and lock in front of him. Whether the answer is a simple cylinder change, a repair to a sticking multipoint mechanism or a wider security upgrade, the aim is to leave you with a secure door and no confusion about the work carried out.
A small job that helps a new home feel like yours
There is plenty to do after collecting the keys, so it is easy to put locks at the bottom of the list. But this is one task that is best dealt with early, before routines settle in and before a small fault becomes a lockout.
Arrange the change when you can be there, keep the new keys somewhere sensible, and test each door before the locksmith leaves. Once you know the people with keys are the people you have chosen, the new house starts to feel properly yours.
