When to Change Your Locks

There are a number of situations where the locks to your property should be changed. This article highlights the various times when this is necessary and highlights the reasons why. The following situations are the most common examples of when to change your locks:

Moving Home

There is no way of knowing if the previous owners still have copies of keys or if in the past they may have given copies to friends, family members, neighbours, tradesmen, babysitters, carers, etc.

So, when moving into a new home, the only way to ensure that you are the only one with keys to your home is to get the locks changed.

End of Tenancy

A responsible landlord should arrange for the keys to be changed at the end of a tenancy period. The tenant may have taken copies of the key and may still be able to access the property so it is important to protect the security of the new tenant.

This becomes especially relevant if there has been some kind of dispute between the landlord and the former tenant as the chances of some kind of retribution may be increased.

Relationship Breakdown

Unfortunately, not all relationships last and sometimes there can be bad feelings and even domestic abuse. If one person in the relationship feels threatened for whatever reason, they should of course contact a relevant organisation, like Refuge, for support.

Getting the locks changed is a sensible approach to take to protect you from an aggressive/abusive partner. Locksmiths are used to taking jobs at short notice and this job can normally be done very quickly.

Existing Lock Inadequate

Not all locks are the same. There are a huge variety of locks with varying levels of quality, standards and security. Some locks do not conform to industry standards and are not compliant with home insurance policies (read my blog on Could your door locks invalidate your Home Insurance).

Particularly if your locks are old, they may not have some of the security features of modern locks. So it might be a good idea to get a locksmith to review your existing locks to see if they need to be changed. You may want to upgrade to a high security euro cylinder for example (read my blog on High Security Euro Cylinders).

Problematic Lock

If there is a problem with your existing lock / locking mechanism, then it might be necessary to change your locks. A locksmith will be able to advise if it is possible to rectify the issue through repair or adjustments, or whether a replacement is needed.

Typical problems include:

Having to force the handle, the key or the door
Key getting stuck and is difficult to remove
Difficult to lock/unlock the door
Handle is loose/floppy
Mechanism is making unusual noises or motion is not as smooth as it was in the past

Keys Stolen/Lost

If your keys have been stolen, then it is a security risk, and it is strongly advised to get your locks changed in this situation as soon as possible. Whoever has your keys may know where you live and may try to gain access in the future.

If you have lost your keys, then it really depends on how you view the risk. If you feel there is no danger of the person finding the keys knowing where you live, then it may not be necessary to get the locks changed.

After a Burglary

If there has been a break-in, then having the locks changed can make you feel safe again. New high security locks can act as a deterrent against future burglaries as the burglar is normally looking for a quick, easy and quiet access point.

Non-Compliant Locks

According to UK fire regulations, if you live in a flat or an HMO (House of Multiple Occupancy), then you must have locks that can be opened from the inside without the need of having a key.

If this is not the case, then the lock will need to be changed to a compliant one, to enable a quick exit in the event of a fire.

Read my blog on Fire Regulations and Thumb Turn Locks for more information.

If in doubt, the cautious approach is always the safest

If in doubt as to whether the locks to your property should be changed, then it is probably best to take the cautious approach and get them changed. The locks protect your property and everything in it, so there is no point in taking any unnecessary risks and it is a relatively inexpensive job.

Any unauthorised access to your property where someone has used the key to gain entry will very likely mean that your insurance will not cover any claim, as it is the property owners responsibility to control the keys to their property.

So always get a local professional locksmith to change your locks to ensure that the right locking product is selected and that it is fitted correctly.

I hope this article on when to change your locks has been useful.

For any advice or if you want any lock change or other locksmith service in Essex, contact Lock Guy.

Got a question about a lock issue you may have? Why not have a look at the FAQ page or one of the helpful advice videos on the Media page.