Moving House Security Checklist: What to Do on Day One

You have no way of knowing how many keys to your new home are still out there — previous owners, their family, cleaners, builders, estate agents. Moving day is the best time to put that right. Use this checklist on the day you get the keys.

Doors

  • Change every external lock — front, back, side and any door from the garage into the house
  • Check uPVC and composite cylinders are anti-snap (TS007 3-star) — see anti-snap locks explained
  • Check timber doors have a BS3621 5-lever mortice deadlock — see insurance-approved locks
  • Test every door locks smoothly; a stiff uPVC door usually needs a hinge adjustment
  • Check letterboxes and cat flaps cannot be used to reach the inside handle or a thumb-turn

Windows

  • Check every window locks and that you have the keys
  • Ask for any missing window keys or have the locks replaced
  • Pay particular attention to ground-floor and easily reached windows

Garage, Shed and Gates

  • Change or replace padlocks and garage locks
  • Check side gates lock and cannot be climbed easily

Alarms, Codes and Smart Devices

  • Ask the previous owner for the alarm code and get it changed
  • Reset smart doorbells, cameras and smart locks to your own accounts
  • Change codes on key safes and garage remotes

Insurance and Paperwork

  • Check your home insurance policy wording for lock requirements
  • Keep the invoice for your new locks — it records the standard fitted
  • Record how many keys you have and who holds them

Our Moving-House Package

We change three external door locks from £149, with new keys supplied, on the day you move in or at a time you book. Anti-snap upgrades and BS3621 locks are available at the same visit. There is no call-out fee, and you get a fixed price before we attend. See moving house lock changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I change the locks when I move house?
Yes, ideally on the day you get the keys. You cannot know how many copies of the old keys exist.

How much does it cost to change the locks when moving?
Our moving-house package changes three external door locks from £149, with new keys supplied.

Can I just change the cylinders instead of the whole lock?
On uPVC and composite doors, yes — replacing the Euro cylinder is usually all that is needed. On timber doors the mortice lock or its lever pack is changed.

Need a Locksmith Right Now?

📞 07486 889391 — 24/7, no call-out fee, typically with you in around 30 minutes. Or WhatsApp a photo of your door for a fixed quote before anyone travels.

Scroll to Top