Should You Replace the Locks When You Move Into a New House?

Should You Replace the Locks When You Move Into a New House?

You’ll have a long list of things to do in the days after you close on a new home. Changing the locks should be one of them. While you don’t necessarily have to install new locks, you shouldn’t just leave the existing locks as they are and use the keys that you get on closing day.

Reasons to Change the Locks
The previous owners might still have keys to the house. They might have given keys to their relatives, friends, babysitter, dog walker, housekeeper and others. You have no way of knowing who might still have a key that can open the doors to your new home. For security and peace of mind, you should change the locks.

Hiring a Locksmith vs. DIY
You can buy locks at a local hardware store and install them yourself, but that can be a challenging process, especially if you’re inexperienced or you’re replacing the locks on several doors. Keep in mind that you’ll have a lot of other things on your plate right after you move in. A locksmith can take care of the job quickly so you can focus on unpacking and getting settled.

Installing New Locks vs. Rekeying the Current Locks
If you want to make the house more secure, you can upgrade to deadbolts or other higher-quality locks. You might also have to modify the doors. That’s a job for a locksmith.

If the house has multiple doors that have to be opened with different keys, that can be a hassle. You might want to have a locksmith install new locks that can all be opened with the same key.