Do I really need to change the locks when I move house?

It is worth assessing every external lock and whether old keys are fully accounted for. Changing or rekeying affected locks removes access through copies of those old keys, but does not guarantee total access control or security. Continue to manage windows, other doors, key-safe and alarm codes, and every new key issued.

How much does it cost to change the locks on a new house?

A standard euro cylinder replacement starts from £59 per door. Which locks, if any, should be changed depends on key control, the inspected doors, cylinder dimensions and the authorised customer decision. Certified anti-snap options also start from £59 where the assessment supports one. Call 024 7522 4730 for an itemised quote based on the specific doors and selected products.

When should I change the locks — before or after moving in?

Completion day is a practical time to inspect keys and locks because access is available and responsibility has transferred. If old keys cannot be accounted for, arrange the agreed work promptly. A new cylinder prevents old copies from operating that lock, but you still need to manage every other access route and newly issued key.

Should I change the locks if I am renting a new property?

Speak to the landlord first and check the tenancy agreement before changing anything. Put a safety or key-control concern in writing and ask for the proposed response. Legal obligations depend on the property and circumstances; if there is a dispute, seek advice from the council, Shelter or a solicitor rather than relying on a universal lock rule.

Moving House? Why You Should Change the Locks

Consider a lock change after moving when the number and control of existing keys cannot be established, then inspect each actual entrance.

You Have the Keys — But Who Else Does?

Moving day is exciting, stressful, and exhausting in equal measure. Among all the packing, cleaning, and paperwork, one thing consistently gets overlooked: the locks.

When you pick up the keys from the estate agent, you probably assume that those are the only keys that exist. The previous owners handed them over, the agent gives them to you, and that is that. Right?

Wrong. And this is one of the most important pieces of advice I can give any new homeowner in Coventry.

Who Might Have Keys to Your New Home

Think about everyone who could have had a key to your new property over the years:

Previous owners — they may have kept a spare "just in case"

Estate agents — multiple agents may have had keys during the selling period

Letting agents — if the property was previously rented

Previous tenants — who may have cut their own copies

Cleaners — previous owners' cleaning service may still have a key

Builders and tradespeople — anyone who did work on the property

Dog walkers — they had access while the previous owners were at work

Neighbours — who were given a spare for emergencies

Ex-partners — of the previous owners

Family members — parents, siblings, children who moved out

Gardeners — who needed access to the back garden via the house

Childminders and babysitters — who needed to let themselves in

That is potentially a dozen or more people who have, or have had, a key to your new front door. Even if the previous owners sincerely gave you "all the keys," they cannot account for every copy that has ever been cut.

"They Gave Us All the Keys" Is Not Enough

A frequent response is "but they gave us all the keys." The remaining question is whether every historic copy can actually be accounted for.

Some keys can be copied by retailers, while restricted or patented systems may require proof of authority or controlled blanks. Because the historic copy count may be unknown, assess key control instead of assuming every key can be copied at a universal price or speed.

And it is not about trust. The previous owners might be perfectly honest people. But the cleaner they fired three years ago, or the builder who did a dodgy job and left under a cloud, or the ex-partner who moved out acrimoniously — those are the keys you need to worry about.

Changing or rekeying affected locks can remove access through unreturned copies of the old keys. It does not guarantee total access control or security, because other doors, windows, codes and newly issued keys still need to be managed.

What to Change

Start by identifying every external door operated by a key handed over at completion. Prioritise any lock for which copies cannot be accounted for, rather than assuming the front door is always the entry point.

Ideally, change every external door:

Front door — euro cylinder, mortice lock, or both

Back door — euro cylinder or mortice lock

Side door — if you have one

Garage door to house — the internal connecting door, if it has a lock

Patio doors — check the lock and consider upgrading

Do not infer the door or cylinder from a Coventry neighbourhood. Identify each affected entrance, the exact cylinder sizes, key-control risk, surrounding hardware and any written requirement before deciding whether front and back cylinders are the complete scope. Timing depends on that inspection and part availability.

When to Do It

Ideally, change the locks on moving day itself. If you can give me access before the removal van arrives, even better — I can have the locks changed before you start moving furniture in.

Arrange timing only after authority to access the property, the affected doors and current availability are confirmed. Whether work can be completed in one visit depends on the inspected locks, dimensions and compatible-part availability.

Do not put it off. Every night you sleep in your new house with the old locks is a night where someone you do not know potentially has a key.

How Much Does It Cost?

Use the published starting-price basis for the exact doors that are assessed:

Standard euro cylinder replacement: from £59 per door

Certified anti-snap euro cylinder upgrade: from £59 per door

Multiple doors, premium products, furniture and mechanism work require an itemised quote after inspection; there is no governed upper range or brand-specific price on this page. The final total depends on the number of doors, cylinder sizes, mechanism condition and exact products selected.

Check my full prices page for current rates.

An Opportunity to Upgrade

Moving house is a practical time to inspect security rather than replacing like for like automatically. If an exact-model check shows that the existing euro cylinder lacks the certification you want, compare suitable anti-snap cylinders for the complete door set.

Certified anti-snap cylinders are tested to improve resistance to specified cylinder attacks. The design and tested configuration vary by product; certification does not eliminate attack risk or guarantee that the door remains secure.

If you are already changing a compatible cylinder, compare certified anti-snap options on the prices page. Choose against the complete door assessment rather than treating one product as the best upgrade for every home.

Coventry's Housing Market and Lock Security

Coventry has a mix of housing stock, and the security implications vary:

Victorian terraces (Earlsdon, Stoke, Chapelfields): Often have original mortice locks that may be worn. Worth replacing with modern BS3621 mortice deadlocks

1930s-1960s semis (Cheylesmore, Finham, Green Lane): Mix of original and replacement doors. Many now have uPVC doors with standard cylinders — prime candidates for anti-snap upgrades

New builds (Canley, Westwood Heath, Keresley): inspect the exact cylinder and door-set certification rather than assuming new or basic-looking hardware passes or fails a standard

Rental properties: If you are renting, speak to your landlord about changing the locks. Many are happy to do so — or happy for you to arrange it at your own cost

What to Tell Your Locksmith

When you call me about a moving-day lock change, I will need to know:

How many external doors need changing

What type of doors they are (uPVC, composite, wooden)

Your moving date and preferred time

Whether you want standard or anti-snap cylinders

Call 024 7522 4730 with the full address, moving date and any visible lock markings. I confirm the cylinder specification, current product availability and an available appointment before scheduling the moving-day lock change.

Do Not Forget the Other Security Basics

While you are thinking about locks, moving day is also a good time to:

Change the code on any existing key safe

Check that all window locks work

Test the burglar alarm (if fitted) and change the code

Check external lighting — fit sensor lights if there are none

Identify any other security weak points while the house is empty and you can see everything clearly

Reviewing locks, keys and codes early in a move can improve key control. The time and price depend on the property, and no lock change provides complete security or peace of mind for every risk.

Call me on 024 7522 4730 to arrange your lock change, or check the prices page for full details.

Moving House? Why Changing the Locks Is the First Thing You Should Do