Safety should always be a priority
Once you have closed the deal on a new house, there are many things you should do before moving in, or within a day or two of moving in. Regardless of whether you have purchased a previously owned property or are a brand new home, you should always change locks when you move house.
Reasons to change the locks
If you have purchased an older home, it is very likely that someone has a spare key, which could make you vulnerable to break-ins. People who might have a spare key include:
- The previous owner, his or her family, friends and even co-workers
- Ex-partners or roommates of the previous owners
- Anyone who has stolen, or found a key
If you have purchased a brand new home or even had the home custom built there still may be people who have a spare key. This includes:
- Realtors
- If the home was listed using the MLS, anyone who has had access to the lockbox placed at the home
- Builders and tradies who have worked on the home
Begin with the doors
Obviously, the first locks you are going to think about and should change are the door locks because they are the most common points of entry for anyone, including thieves. If you plan to change the locks yourself, you can purchase new locks at your local hardware store. Alternatively, you can find a good local locksmith to change the locks for you.
Don’t forget other types of locks
Once the door locks have been changed, you should consider changing the other locks on your property including garage doors, doors on storage buildings, the basement entrance, and all of your windows.
Options for changing the locks
In most cases, you will have a few different options when it comes to changing the locks in your new home. Hire a locksmith – If you want to make sure the job is done properly, or are simply not the do it yourself type, you can hire a locksmith to change all the locks and provide you with new keys. Alternatively, you can find a local locksmith who is able to re-key some of the locks rather than replace them completely. Re-keying is not an option for all types of locks, so you will need to talk to your locksmith about this option. Do it yourself – If you are quite good at DIY projects, you may want to try changing the locks yourself. However, if you are not confident you can do the job, it is advisable to hire a locksmith. Add a deadbolt – Some people do not want to change the locks on their new home and simply choose to add a deadbolt to the doors instead. However, unless the locks on the windows are changed, this option still leaves them vulnerable. I
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