You have picked up the keys, signed the paperwork, and the house is finally yours. The last thing on your mind is the locks. But changing them should be one of the very first things you do, and here is why.
You have no idea who has a copy
Think about how many people might have had a key to your new home over the years:
- The previous owners and their family members
- Previous tenants if the property was rented
- The estate agent
- The letting agent
- Cleaners, dog walkers, builders, decorators, neighbours
- Anyone the previous occupants gave a spare key to
Every key that was ever cut for that property is still out there. Even if the previous owners handed over what they believe is every copy, they may have forgotten about the one they gave to a friend years ago, or the spare they hid in the garden, or the copy the estate agent kept on file.
Changing the locks is the only way to guarantee that nobody but you has access to your new home.
What to change
At a minimum, you should change:
- The front door lock. If it is a Yale-type night latch, change the cylinder. If it is a mortice deadlock, change the lock or have it re-keyed.
- The back door lock. This is often overlooked but is actually more commonly targeted in break-ins because it is less visible from the street.
- Any other external door. Side doors, garage doors with internal access, and patio door locks should all be included.
Internal door locks are less critical unless you are moving into a shared property or HMO, but it is worth checking that bedroom and bathroom locks are functional.
What type of locks should you fit?
If you are replacing locks anyway, it makes sense to fit something decent rather than just swapping like for like. For Medway properties, we would typically recommend:
- A BS3621 mortice deadlock on the front door. This is the British Standard that most home insurance policies require. If your door does not have one, your insurance may not pay out in the event of a break-in.
- An anti-snap euro cylinder if you have a UPVC or composite door. Standard euro cylinders are the most commonly exploited lock type in burglaries. Anti-snap versions cost only slightly more but are significantly harder to break.
- Good quality window locks on all ground-floor and accessible windows.
A note on Medway properties
The mix of housing in Medway means you will find all sorts of lock setups. The older terraces in Rochester and the town centre often have original five-lever mortice locks that may or may not meet current standards. The 1960s and 70s houses across Chatham and Gillingham frequently have basic night latches with no deadlock behind them. The newer estates in Strood and around Medway City Estate tend to have UPVC doors with multipoint locks and euro cylinders.
Whatever you have, a locksmith can assess it, tell you what is worth keeping and what needs replacing, and have the whole property re-keyed in a single visit. It is one of the quickest and most effective things you can do for your home security.
If you have just moved into a property in Medway and want your locks changed, give us a call. We can usually attend the same day.
