You just bought your dream home! Congratulations! You’re probably excited to start moving in and making it your own. But before you do, there’s one important step you should take: change the locks. Because you never know who may still have a key to your house. Â
Why do you need to change the locks?
When you move into a new home, the first thing you should do is change the locks. This may seem like an extra expense that you don’t need, but it’s worth it for peace of mind.
You don’t know who had keys to your new home before you moved in, and unless you were friends with the previous occupiers, there’s no way to know how many keys are out there. By changing the locks, you can be sure that only you and your family have access to your home.
The stats don’t lie
According to Home Office statistics, you are almost twice as likely to be burgled in the 12 months after moving house compared with the average burglary rate. You are nearly three times as likely to be burgled compared with those who have occupied their property for 10 years or more.
Alarmingly, those households with no home security measures were almost ten times more likely to be victims of burglary compared to households that carry out simple security upgrades such as fitting deadlocks on doors and fitting window locks.
Spare keys out there somewhere
Have you ever wondered who else has a spare set of keys to your home? According to a recent survey, the answer is: quite a lot of people.
In fact, around 37,500 homes will change hands in a year, with many buyers unaware that at least one spare set of keys is still in circulation with a third party.
The survey, conducted by NOP on behalf of insurer NIG, found that over half of British residents give away spare sets of keys to their homes.
So who are these key-holders? In most cases, they are family members or close friends. However, one in ten respondents said that they had given their keys to a tradesperson, such as a plumber or an electrician.
And 6% confessed to giving their keys to a relative stranger, such as a neighbour or a dog-walker.
Other reasons to change your locks
Changing your locks is important for several reasons. First, it can ensure that you and your family can safely exit your home in the event of an emergency.
Second, it can help to deter burglars by making it more difficult for them to break into your home.
Third, it can give you peace of mind by knowing that all of your doors and windows are securely locked.
Finally, changing your locks can help to ensure that your home insurance policy remains valid. Most insurance companies now require that homes have locks that meet British Standard 3621:2004 to be covered. By changing your locks, you can help to keep your home and family safe.
Need help with a change of locks for your new home? As expert locksmiths, we can change your locks and ensure your new house is secure. Contact us today for more information!
