LOCK CHANGE
New house
Should I change my locks after purchasing a house? Absolutely! Security should be your top priority when moving into a new home. Previous homeowners likely had multiple spare keys that they shared with neighbors, family, friends, or even contractors, dog walkers, cleaning services, caregivers. Personally, I find the thought of strangers having easy access to my home unacceptable. Especially after moving into a new place, you want to feel safe and secure when you go to bed at night.
Lost or Stolen Keys
If your keys may have fallen into the wrong hands, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Even if there’s no identifying information on your keychain, the top reason to change your locks after losing your keys is security! If they were lost or dropped nearby, someone could find them and try the nearest doors just out of curiosity. And even if your keys are returned, it's difficult to know for sure if they were copied while they were out of your possession.
New Roommate or Tenant
If you rent out space in your home, it's wise to replace the locks every time you change tenants. This will give you peace of mind knowing your locks are secure and that you won’t have to worry about past tenants in case of a break-in. Even if the last tenant returned their key, there's no guarantee they didn’t make a copy. They might not even remember giving a key to a neighbor or friend in the past.
Wear and Tear
Worn or rusted locks pose a significant vulnerability to home security. Old, deteriorating locks are easier to pick or break, and they become increasingly difficult to operate with a key over time. If you're finding that your lock is becoming harder to open, it’s essential to replace or service it immediately to prevent an inconvenient malfunction that could leave you locked out or trapped inside your home.
