Changing locks

m0bov

I fitted new locks and would at least change the barrel on the day of completion.

missprice

We changed the locks anyway but a week later discovered half the street had a key.

The old man that lived here before we bought it had carers and social services in and out. Next door had a key ( that they used when they discovered him dead) his sis in law lived over the road, had a key, 2 doors down cos they were best mates for 40 years had a key. Next door other side had a key to do the garden for him ( owner was blind towards the end)
None of these people do we have a problem with,in fact this Street is lovely but they have visitors who may not be as nice.
For the usually few quid it costs it's worth knowing you have the only set of keys.

Davesnave

Sagz wrote: »

When I found out the previous owner was rather 'nasty' I changed the locks.

I bet mine was nastier, although his address given at the trial wasn't this one.

They were otherwise a very pleasant family, but with rather a loose structure, so we changed all 6 locks. Half of them didn't work properly anyway.

I've learned that quite few people here don't lock doors on a regular basis, but despite the very low crime stats, it's silly not to. Round here, it's sheds and barns that receive most attention. They'd rather have your chain saw than your Spode!

frugalsmurf

Ive only ever changed the locks once, as it had been rented out and I knew the estate agents had a key as well as letting agents/possibly remnants etc.

It's something I'd never thought of until I discovered mse as people say it on here a lot.

We are moving soon and I'm definitely getting locks changed even though they're a nice couple as you just don't know who has keys.

BusyBargainz

I plan to when I next move. Peace of mind more than anything and the owner of the house we are currently trying to purchase has already told us the man over the road has a key and comes and cuts her lawn.

DRP

Yes we did. I was working away a lot, leaving wife & baby in the house.

When a new barrel is only a tenner, it seems daft not to.

SuzieSue

I have only ever bought a new build and I didn't change the locks but I had additional locks put on the front and back doors. Thinking back, I forgot about the patio doors which was silly.

SMW87

usually the locks need upgraded anyway. We changed the locks just in case, but also found that they were old, easy to snap cylinders. So we got new locks, new keys and the cylinder was 1 star kite marked anti snap/bump/pick. £25. So worth it in the end anyway!

tidds

Worth mentioning... When/if you do change the locks, keep the barrel and the original keys. When/if you move again, you can use that barrel without needing to buy a new one! We complete next Tuesday and i'll be using the lock from years ago that came with the house I bought.

izzy65

SuzieSue wrote: »

I have only ever bought a new build and I didn't change the locks but I had additional locks put on the front and back doors. Thinking back, I forgot about the patio doors which was silly.

When we bought a new build we discovered that the whole scheme had been plastered by the same company and the guy that worked there had kept a key for each property, new build is no guarantee