Changing Locks After Moving House
Change your locks when you move house — previous owners, tenants, cleaners and tradespeople may all hold keys, and you will never know how many exist. A full lock change on moving day is quick, straightforward and the cheapest security you will buy. Call Locksmith Brixton on 07984 547185 to book yours.
The removal van leaves, the boxes tower, and someone — previous owner, their cleaner, the estate agent, a tradesperson from three years ago — still has a key to your front door. You will never get a straight answer on how many keys exist, because nobody ever kept count.
Changing the locks is the first security job of any move, before the curtains and before the wifi. This guide covers what to change, when, and what to ask for.
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What to change
Every external door: front, back, side, and any door from an integral garage. In flats, the flat door cylinder is the priority — the communal entrance stays with the building. Do not forget windows that lock with keys, padlocked gates and sheds, and any outbuilding with valuables.
Keep the old keys labelled in a drawer until the change is done — then dispose of them. There is no reason to keep keys that open your home in unknown hands.
When to book it
Completion day or the day after is ideal — the property is yours, the old occupants are gone, and the new keys start clean. We do completion-day changeovers routinely across Brixton and South London: one visit, the full set, done before the boxes are unpacked.
For renters, the same logic applies at tenancy start — with the landlord's agreement. Many of our landlord clients book the changeover for the void day between tenancies as standard practice.
Use the move to upgrade
A move is the natural moment to assess, not just replace like-for-like. Is the back door cylinder unrated? Is the front mortice pre-BS3621? Are the window locks up to anything? A quick survey during the changeover visit identifies the upgrades worth doing while the locksmith is already there.
The cost-effective order: change everything to sound modern equivalents first, then upgrade the priority doors to rated hardware. See our lock replacement page for the options, or ring 07984 547185 to book the visit.
Frequently asked questions
Should I change the locks when I move house?
Yes — always. Previous owners, tenants, cleaners, tradespeople and agents may all hold keys, and nobody kept count. A full change on moving day is the cheapest security you will buy.
How quickly can you change locks after completion?
Completion-day and day-after changeovers are routine for us across Brixton and South London. One visit covers the full set of external doors. Call 07984 547185 to book.
I am renting. Can I change the locks?
With the landlord's written agreement, yes. Many landlords book the changeover themselves between tenancies — ask yours, or ask us about our [landlord lock change service](/landlord-lock-change-brixton/).
What does a move-in lock change include?
Every external door cylinder or lock, keyed to your new keys, tested and handed over with the key sets you need. We also flag any doors that deserve an upgrade while we are there.
Should I upgrade to better locks during the move?
It is the most cost-effective time — the locksmith is already there. Prioritise the doors most at risk: back doors, side access and any door with an unrated cylinder. We advise honestly on what is worth it.