When you move into a new home, you have no way of knowing how many keys are out there. Previous owners, tenants, cleaners, builders and neighbours may all have had one at some point. Changing the locks, or at least the cylinders, is one of the simplest ways to make the house properly yours.
Who might still have a key?
Most sellers hand over every key they can find, but keys get copied and lent over the years. It is common for a spare to be left with a neighbour, a relative or a tradesperson and forgotten about. If the property was rented, there may have been several sets of tenants.
None of that means anyone means harm. It just means you cannot be sure who can open your door, and that is easy to fix.
Do you need new locks or new cylinders?
You do not always need to replace the whole lock.
- UPVC and composite doors usually have a multipoint lock worked by a euro cylinder. Changing only the cylinder means the old keys stop working, and the multipoint mechanism stays where it is.
- Timber doors often have a night latch and a mortice lock. Night latch cylinders can usually be changed. A mortice lock can be replaced, or in some cases rekeyed.
- Back, side and garage doors count too. A burglar does not mind which door they use.
If the lock is stiff, worn or not up to the standard your insurer asks for, it can make sense to replace it at the same time rather than paying for a cylinder now and a new lock later.
A good time to upgrade
A move is a sensible moment to look at the quality of the locks, not just who has the keys. On UPVC and composite doors, police advice is to fit a cylinder rated 3 stars to the TS 007 standard, or Sold Secure Diamond. Our guide to anti-snap locks and what TS 007 means explains the ratings.
It is also worth reading your new home insurance policy. Many policies set out what kind of locks they expect on external doors, and it is better to know before you need to claim.
Check the doors while you are at it
Older houses often come with doors that have been put up with for years. While a locksmith is there, it is worth asking them to look at:
- Doors that need lifting or pushing before they will lock
- Gaps or draughts round the edges
- Handles that droop or feel loose
- Window locks and whether all the window keys are there
A door that is hard to lock has usually dropped out of line. That is normally an adjustment rather than a new door, as our post on dropped UPVC doors explains.
Do not forget the windows
Lockable window handles are only useful if you have the keys. If the previous owners did not leave them, the handles can be changed so you can lock and unlock them again.
What about rented homes?
If you rent, speak to your landlord or letting agent before changing any locks. Your tenancy agreement may say whether you can, and the landlord will usually want a key. If you are a landlord, changing cylinders between tenancies is a straightforward way to keep the property secure.
How long does it take?
Swapping a euro cylinder is usually a quick job once it has been measured, because cylinders come in different lengths. Replacing a mortice lock or a multipoint mechanism takes longer, as the right part has to be matched to the door. Steve will tell you which you need before any work starts.
Just moved in?
Steve changes and upgrades cylinders and locks across Leominster, Ludlow and the villages around them. He can measure every external door on one visit and give you a price before anything is fitted.
Read more about lock repairs and replacement and UPVC door repairs, or call 07948 117374.