Lock changes on a new property in London - Locksmith advice

Are you one of the over 50% of people who don’t change the locks when they move into a new home? Regardless of other priorities you may have, this is a vitally important step to take when moving to a new property and should be done on the day of completion. So, why is changing locks on a new house so important?

Well first we will ask a few questions just to really make it clear how risky it is to not change the locks or put it off.

·      Do you know how many previous occupants your home has had?

·      Has the property ever been rented?

·      When were the window locks last changed?

·      Has anyone ever given a set of keys to a tradesman?

·      Has the property ever been looked after by a third party?

·      Has every set of keys to the property been collected from all of the above?

Last but not least - Do you really want to risk it?

Moving house is a highly stressful experience so it is no surprise that securing your new home by changing the locks when you first move in can easily be overlooked. However, unless you knew and trusted the previous tenants it is unlikely that you will know exactly how many sets of keys were cut and are in circulation for your new property. You will also have to confirm that the tenants before you changed the locks when they moved in.

Changing the locks on your front and back door should be one of the first things you do. Whether it be a new property or an old one, tick it off your moving home checklist early on.

You’ve invested a considerable fortune into this property. You’ve moved your furniture, possessions and family into this new property. Before you know it this house will become a home in which you will store most of your valued possessions. Keep in mind that not changing locks will invalidate your insurance which will invalidate any claim you may make should anything happen in the future.

You don’t know how many keys there are in circulation, so don’t just assume all sets have been handed over. If you’re burgled by an old builder, tradesperson or previous occupier with a key, your insurance company will refuse to pay out, it’s not their responsibility to change the locks.

A survey carried out by Opinium Research from 17th December to 19^th December 2019 and quoted by direct line insurance has found that keys are one of the top 3 items lost outside the home. This means that chances are the old homeowner or even a tenant have misplaced a key and the finder may or may not have the address.

https://www.directlinegroup.co.uk/en/news/brand-news/2020/17012020.html

Another survey conducted by Halifax Home Insurance found that 12 million adults have lost their keys over 6 times in the last ten years alongside identification or address details and still did not change their locks.

Most insurance companies want to see evidence of forced entry before they pay out on a claim. Neglecting to change the locks means someone with an old key entering the property won’t count as forced entry.

Your locks must conform to British Standard 3621:2004

Most insurance policies state your locks must conform to the British Standard 3621:2004. If they do not, it’s another vitally important reason to change them. This is particularly relevant for older and previously tenanted properties. Most insurance companies will allow for 5 lever locks, however it’s always best to pay that small extra cost of a higher security lock, than it is to pay for all your lost possessions without the backing of your insurance company.

Considerations to make about lock changes

Are you not yet sold on the importance of changing locks on a new house? Here are some key considerations to make:

1.    Think about garage doors and windows

Unless it’s a new property it’s unlikely you will have all the window and garage doors keys. It’s even more unlikely that the previous owner can account for each and every key made. Is it really worth taking a gamble on this? All it takes is one key unaccounted for.

2.    Lock changes for shared access properties

If you share a main front door to a property for example – a split maisonette, it’s worthwhile talking to your neighbours about potential security concerns. We advise changing the locks once every 5 years, the longer it goes without a change the more risk that someone has a key that shouldn’t have. If you aren’t the freeholder, speak to them or the management company about having the external door locks changed.

3.    Should you hire a professional or do it yourself?

You can hire a professional locksmith to change the locks for you. This can be a particularly good idea if you want to upgrade to more advanced security measures and lock systems.

Having said this, it’s a relatively simple process to do a simple swap of the same lock. Even DIY beginners/amateurs should be able to manage it. We even have a few guides to locks you can change yourself and how to do it just click here.

With that being said, a reputable locksmith service, like ourselves will also offer a one year warranty which just gives you that extra peace of mind. Not to forget, when getting the locksmith to change your locks, you get a receipt. This can be later used as evidence for the insurance company to obtain a better rate or to make any claims should anything go wrong.

Need a locksmith?

If DIY lock changing isn’t for you, get a quote from a local locksmith by simply calling us here. We can provide quotes via whatsapp so you have an accurat price before the locksmith attends the job. We include a one year warranty on all locks we supply provided we installed them and the work is under warranty as well, just for that extra peace of mind.