Do you Change The Locks?

warehouse · 28 July 2017 at 1:57PM

When you buy or rent a place you have no idea how many spare keys to your property are floating around or who has them. It's crazy to leave the locks unchanged and I'm shocked at how many don't do it on day 1.

snoop2008 · 28 July 2017 at 2:09PM

missprice wrote: »

Bah,posted huge reply and lost it

In short.
First flat, came home one day to find furniture moved, don't believe in ghosts, convinced myself I imagined it,few weeks later, man (previous tenant) and another man let themselves in. I was 16. I didn't know that locks could be changed back then so it took me a whole day of calling people to find out needed locksmith and a king's ransom but at least I got the only keys.

Being dim and blonde I never learn, evidently, many years later in a house this time. I was asleep in the daytime in my bedroom. Woke up to footsteps on the stairs. Someone was in the house, they came upstairs, they breathed quite heavily over me, I was terrified and pretended to be asleep. What seemed like a lifetime later they left, I heard them close and lock outside door. Same day locks were changed.

As I never want that to happen again, and if there was a next time I might not be so lucky, I change all house locks the day we get keys. It's cheap, it's easy, it saves being terrified. Garage/shed can wait a bit.

Oh my goodness.. I can not pretend to understand the fear you felt. I think I am just gob smacked at how many people, although they know its something that has to been, its done much later.. I won't even go there with the horror stories I hear about.

moneyistooshorttomention · 28 July 2017 at 2:16PM

snoop2008 wrote: »

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Oh my goodness.. I can not pretend to understand the fear you felt. I think I am just gob smacked at how many people, although they know its something that has to been, its done much later.. I won't even go there with the horror stories I hear about.

I think it would be useful snoops actually if you do tell us some of those stories you've heard. Please do....

starshapedbrick · 28 July 2017 at 2:32PM

Didn't in my first flat and lived there for 12 years without a problem. First house - yes, as all locks suited to the same key and had been owned by a company so numerous copies around and one key could get you in everywhere. Second house - yes, changed locks ourselves and new bolts/window locks as it's a much bigger place than we have been used to.

Having worked in property and had access to master keys, 'communal' keys that opened locks all over the place and seen many people not even bothering with basic security has made me a bit more cautious myself!

Small_Yeti · 28 July 2017 at 3:19PM

When we picked up the keys to our house we didn't change the locks because we knew there would be a load of workmen, who we didn't know at that stage (all were lovely, professional and trustworthy) coming and going in the first three weeks that might need to cut keys for their team or might not retrieve all the keys so we decided to change them the day before we moved in so we knew where all the keys were.

The whole place was filthy with loads of rubbish left so I had taken basics up for the bit between us getting the keys and the workmen starting so we could start cleaning. Some cleaning stuff, loo rolls, soap, a hand towel and some drink making/snack stuff. Went up one evening and started to clean. We both washed our hands and dried them using the towel before we left. Went back up on the next evening and the towel was gone! Totally disappeared. The drinks and snacks had been moved slightly.

Three weeks later a mug disappeared the day before the locks got changed. The tradesmen hadn't broken it (we got on great with them and we explained we were asking because of the towel thing and they would absolutely have said if it got broken because they knew I didn't care about a mug and would rather that than the thought of the old owner being in the house).

My theory is that the original owner came back for a box he'd left (I had offered this back to him via the Estate Agent but I think the previous owner was embarrassed to see us because he'd left a house genuinely filled to the rafters with boxes of rubbish and in the most disgustingly dirty condition - he was a hoarder). I think he came back the second time to have a nosy about what we were doing to the house. We're pretty sure he came back a third time but saw we were in and left as well.

We didn't have anything in the house but I wasn't happy until the locks got changed! Now I'd always get them changed on day one!

snoop2008 · 28 July 2017 at 4:17PM

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I think it would be useful snoops actually if you do tell us some of those stories you've heard. Please do....

Money! I know this is a topic that has got people here thinking. I understand the importance of protecting our hard earned possessions/property etc.,, Many of us are very good at making sure are children are safe, we insure our cars, and to enjoy the good things in life.. How would any of you good people here feel about coming back from holiday and ALL OF YOUR STUFF IS STOLEN? because of NOT changing your locks in your new home.

This happened to one of my mums friend who just never got round to doing just that.. She had downsized and furnished the place to her liking including booking a holiday with her son and daughter abroad for two weeks. Little did she know that her dream home was about to be burgled. Well I cried when I was told..

At the time when the cops were called it was clear that there was no false entry, some one had the keys but who. Nothing was broken, no mess , they took her furniture, tv, fridge, her bed etc... at the time I asked my mum if it was a case of her being watched, or being on her own, and being elderly.. whatever the reasons, she was left nervous and devastated, could no longer live in her property because someone had the key. Even though the locks were eventually changed, it had made no difference, the emotional damage had been done.

I often think about this, more now because of this topic, but cant imagine, what would have or could have happened has she been in her home when this happened.

I think we can often feel safe because for many, nothing has happened to you, I hope it never does, or ' I've never done it before, no point in doing it now'.

For all of us, regardless of renting, buying, etc.. Never ever assume your the only one with the keys!!

echo_and_narcissus · 28 July 2017 at 6:06PM

I lived in a rented house when I had my first baby.

One rainy afternoon, I was sat on the sofa, feeding the baby, and we both dozed off... only to be awoken by someone from the letting agency letting themselves in, with a couple who wanted to look round the house as we were due to move out. Which would have been fine... if they letting agency hadn't told me the appointment was the day after :eek: Cue three very awkward strangers walking into the living room as I sat there half-awake with a baby in my arms and my boob hanging out for them all to see

The other instance was when I arrived home one lunchtime, to find the landlord and his mate chatting away stood next to the back door which hadn't been shutting properly. We'd reported the door and had a chat with him over the phone about it, but had no word that he was coming round. I don't appreciate finding two men in my house unannounced, and called the letting agency to let them know. They made all the right noises, then never hauled him up about it.

snoop2008 · 28 July 2017 at 6:08PM

Hi folks a real irony to the story I shared.. just heard on the news, some people got burgled, by sharing their photos on social media of their holiday pics!! The guys who did it couldn't care less! guess this is another topic on how to protect your home whilst away!

moneyistooshorttomention · 28 July 2017 at 7:36PM

snoop2008 wrote: »

Hi folks a real irony to the story I shared.. just heard on the news, some people got burgled, by sharing their photos on social media of their holiday pics!! The guys who did it couldn't care less! guess this is another topic on how to protect your home whilst away!

I've read of this more than once before and I know the incident you mean.

I've certainly only been reading the Facebook page of a very well-known person recently commenting for days now of how she'd be away from her home a while (for the very good reason of getting married). Cue for me thinking "Agh I do hope she doesn't have the wrong person reading this and thinking they'll take advantage of that fact" - as she's a particularly nice person.

Thankfully - all seems to be well.:)

System · 28 July 2017 at 8:26PM

It had honestly never occurred to me before I started lurking on this forum, but now it's one of the first things I intend to do whenever we end up moving. I think it's one of those things that sounds so obvious when someone says it, but that you wouldn't necessarily think of yourself. I do advise everyone I know to change the locks when they move now, though!