Change locks?

AdrianC

If the property was previously a rental - especially an HMO - they'd get changed like a shot.
If it had been a normal family home for many years, I'd not be rushing.

vernall

It's a family home, never been rented, well not in the 9 years they have been there. I have only ever rented so obviously landlords have had keys etc and have never had a problem. Just the chance that someone else may have a copy of the keys to my house even if its just a neighbour who watered the plants 5 years ago while they were on holiday. Maybe I am just being cautious, but like the fact knowing that we are the only people with keys to our home.

Elmer_BeFuddled

Had a Yale tumbler that followed me round house to house being swapped in/out for years

aussie_in_wales

I changed the lock on the back door to my house the day after I moved in. I had a new front door and new patio doors fitted so those locks were obviously new, but they took about 3 months to be fitted. However I've given front door keys to two of my neighbours and I have copies of theirs, just in case I get locked out!
I guess it's possible the previous owners of any house could have done the same so you don't know who has a key.

Aranyani

I've never bothered.  I'd be interested to know how many burglaries or trespasses each year are actually committed by people who have keys to the house that were given to them by a former owner.  I've only ever given keys to family, neighbours, dog walker etc.  Never to a burglar...

badger09

Aranyani said:

I've never bothered.  I'd be interested to know how many burglaries or trespasses each year are actually committed by people who have keys to the house that were given to them by a former owner.  I've only ever given keys to family, neighbours, dog walker etc.  Never to a burglar...

At least, not knowingly....

Aranyani

badger09 said:

Aranyani said:

I've never bothered.  I'd be interested to know how many burglaries or trespasses each year are actually committed by people who have keys to the house that were given to them by a former owner.  I've only ever given keys to family, neighbours, dog walker etc.  Never to a burglar...

At least, not knowingly....

Certainly not to any that then chose to burgle my house. 

dimbo61

It all depends on the area your moving too.
I put a new  barrel in our front door when we moved with a turn lock on the inside for fire safety and also because our daughter used to lock the door at night and leave the key in the lock so unable to open door from the outside.
I do know of someone who had the boiler stolen while they were refurbishing the property and No forced entry so no insurance pay out.
New barrel which comes with 3 keys is normally £10/15 with a turnlock 

Mrcsmrs

Aranyani said:

I've never bothered.  I'd be interested to know how many burglaries or trespasses each year are actually committed by people who have keys to the house that were given to them by a former owner.  I've only ever given keys to family, neighbours, dog walker etc.  Never to a burglar...

This exact scenario happened to my husband in his new home many years ago. Burglars came in with keys whilst he was upstairs asleep and took everything they wanted. No insurance pay out because he hadn’t changed the locks and there was no damage. 

AskAsk

Aranyani said:

I've never bothered.  I'd be interested to know how many burglaries or trespasses each year are actually committed by people who have keys to the house that were given to them by a former owner.  I've only ever given keys to family, neighbours, dog walker etc.  Never to a burglar...

exactly.  people do not give keys to people they do not trust!