Yes, I recommend changing the locks when you move into a new house. You know which keys you were given, but you may not know how many copies were made before you moved in. Previous owners may have shared spare keys with relatives, neighbours, cleaners or tradespeople. Changing the main external locks means the old keys will no longer open those doors. Why Change the Locks After Moving House? A lock does not need to be broken before it is worth changing. When you move into a property, I look at three things: who may still have keys, the condition of the existing locks, and whether those locks are suitable for the doors. You Don’t Know Who Still Has a Key This is the main reason to change locks when moving house. Even if the previous owner gives you every key they have, other copies may have been made in the past. This also applies when the locks look fairly new. A new-looking lock can still have old keys in circulation. Changing the locks gives you a fresh set of keys under your control. Some Locks May Be Worn Moving into a new home is also a good time to notice how the existing locks work. A key may feel stiff. A cylinder may be worn. A door may need extra pressure before it locks. These signs do not mean every lock needs replacing. I can assess whether the problem comes from the lock, the door alignment or another part. The Existing Locks May Not Suit the Door or Your Needs Different doors use different locking systems. A timber door may have a mortice lock or night latch. uPVC and composite doors often use a Euro cylinder with a multipoint locking mechanism. I look at what is already fitted before suggesting a door lock replacement. Which Locks Should You Check After Moving In? I would start with doors that give direct access into the home. These normally include: front and back doors side entrance doors patio or French doors garage doors that lead into the house The front door is important, but it should not be considered on its own. Changing the front door lock will not solve the old-key problem if another external door can still be opened with a previous key. I recommend reviewing every lock that controls access to the property and changing any lock where old keys may still provide access. Do You Need to Replace the Whole Lock? Not always. On some doors, changing one part is enough to stop the old keys from working. For example, a uPVC door may have a multipoint locking mechanism that still works properly. If only the Euro cylinder needs changing, there may be no reason to replace the full mechanism. On another door, wear or damage may make a complete lock replacement more sensible. I assess the existing parts first rather than replacing the whole system without a reason. What About Home Insurance Requirements? It is worth reading the lock requirements in your own home insurance policy. Some insurers may ask for a certain type or standard of lock on external doors. A policy may, for example, refer to British Standard locks such as BS 3621. That does not mean the same standard applies to every door. uPVC, composite and timber doors can use different locking systems. The lock should suit the door as well as any requirements listed by your insurer. If you are unsure, read the policy wording before deciding which locks need changing. When Should You Change the Locks After Moving? I recommend dealing with the main external access locks soon after you take possession of the property. You do not need to wait until an existing lock becomes faulty. If a lock is already stiff, worn or damaged, I can look at that problem during the same visit. What Do I Look At Before Changing a Lock? The first step is looking at the door and the lock already fitted. I assess the lock type, its condition and how the door operates. On a uPVC or composite door, the Euro cylinder can be considered separately from the multipoint mechanism. On a timber door, I look at the type and condition of the fitted lock. This shows whether one part can be changed or whether the complete lock needs attention. Moving House Locksmith in York At Towergate Locksmiths, I help homeowners change locks after moving house across York and surrounding areas. My moving-home work includes assessing existing door locks, changing locks where needed and helping you understand which new keys control your external doors. You can learn more about my moving house locksmith service in York. Frequently Asked Questions Should I change internal door locks when moving house? Usually, the first priority is locks that control access from outside. Internal locks may only need attention if you have a specific reason to change them. Should I change the locks before or after moving in? I recommend arranging the main lock changes once you have taken possession of the property and are responsible for access. Doing it early means you know which keys work from the start. Need to Change Locks After Moving House in York? If you have recently moved and are unsure which locks need changing, I can assess the external doors and explain which parts are worth replacing. Contact Towergate Locksmiths for more information about moving-house lock changes in York and surrounding areas.
