Moving into a new home is thrilling. You might have to do things like unpack, set up utilities, and change your prior address. But don’t overlook another crucial responsibility. You must alter the locks.
Moving into a new home is an exciting adventure, but it’s important to remember your security among all the activity. Changing the locks of your new house is an important but sometimes overlooked task. Although it can seem needless, investing in new locks has several advantages and will provide you with maximum safety and tranquility of mind. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top reasons why Australians should prioritize changing locks when moving house.
Why is changing the locks of a new house important?
When moving into a new home, changing the locks is an amazing idea. We would highly suggest you do it before hiring a professional removalist to carry your belongings in. Here are various justifications for doing so.
You and your family should feel secure in your house. You ought to constantly feel safe from danger. As a result, you must prevent burglaries and other breaches from gaining unauthorized entry.
As a result, you must use high-quality locks to safeguard both the front and rear doors. Furthermore, if you keep the present locks, you might not be aware of how many extra keys are available for them.
Consequently, changing the locks on your new property helps you reduce the chance of exposing it to anybody with access. Likewise, your insurance company may reject your insurance claim if you don’t replace your locks, and anything gets stolen.
Some insurance providers will use your own lax security measures as an explanation. Moreover, if there are no obvious indications of a forced entrance, your homeowner’s insurance may not pay up.
Let’s discuss some other essential reasons for changing the locks of your new home.
Protecting Your House Against Unauthorized Entry
When relocating to a new home, it is crucial to ensure your safety and the protection of your loved ones.
You never know whether someone still has the keys to your home. You eliminate the possibility of unauthorized access by replacing the locks.
It’s a proactive move that offers peace of mind and a fresh start by ensuring you have total control over who enters your new home.
Key duplication and previous occupants
It’s important to think about who had access to the property before you moved into a new home.
Duplicate keys may have been made by previous residents or others engaged in the building or real estate operations.
Changing the locks ensures that only you and authorized visitors can enter, eliminating any chance of someone entering your property without your knowledge.
Features for Enhanced Security
When moving into a new home, it’s a good idea to enhance your home’s security due to developments in lock technology.
Modern locks come with strong features that considerably increase the security of your property against incursions and break-ins.
New, high-quality locks not only provide you with peace of mind, but they also dissuade potential thieves since they know they face a harder task.
Your keys are missing
Losing the keys is such a typical event. Is it sufficient cause to replace your locks if you lose your keys? perhaps yeah. It may have been stolen after all. Therefore, by changing the locks, you will feel more secure knowing that no one has access to your house.
There was an intrusion
After a break-in or attempted break-in, there may be still another security concern. Your keys could be duplicated by the intruders. They may still have access to your house. Therefore, it is advised that you change your locks right away. Additionally, if the locks were damaged during the break-in, they can stop working properly.
Personalisation and Aesthetics
When you change the locks during a move, you may personalise the security system to suit your needs. You may choose locks that go with your preferred aesthetic and blend in with the general design of your new house. You may improve the aesthetic appeal of your house while retaining the highest level of protection by making an investment in locks that suit your style.
Insurance Requirements
Insurance policies generally have specific home security requirements, including the type of doors to be installed. Failure to change door locks in compliance with these guidelines may result in inadequate coverage. Replacing the locks on your new home quickly ensures you meet the insurance company’s requirements, allowing you to get full coverage if something unfortunate happens
Lock Changing vs. Rekeying vs Keyless Locks
When you move into a new home, changing the locks on your doors is not your only choice. Rekeying is an option you have. When you change a lock, the complete lock is replaced. Rekeying, on the other hand, is the process of switching to a different key without replacing the lock. Rekeying keeps your lock in place but prevents your old key from opening it.
Rekeying is accomplished by swapping out certain lock components. These parts include the tumblers or pins that go with each individual key. Professional locksmiths can execute this procedure rather easily if they have the proper equipment.
When you talk about lock replacement, you can easily do that yourself. All you would need is to buy a replacement from your neighborhood hardware store. Rekeying, however, may be preferable in some circumstances. For instance, when you need to change several locks, rekeying frequently ends up being more affordable than replacing the lock and hardware.
Instead of using locks and keys, some individuals choose to employ electronic access control systems. They are regarded as the safer and more practical choice. They often entail employing authentication techniques like biometrics, access cards, codes, and cellphones to access your property.
Higher authority is undoubtedly one benefit of electronic access control systems.
Who is responsible to Change the Locks?
Usually, the responsibility of changing locks on a new house lies with the builder. While the house is under construction, various individuals such as subcontractors, inspectors, and real estate agents may have had keys to your door.
It is crucial for your real estate agent to ensure that the process of changing or rekeying the locks is done to safeguard your security.
However, if you are buying an existing house, you may be responsible for rekeying the locks. Similarly, if you are renting, the landlord may need to have a key to the newly rekeyed lock, depending on your lease agreement. Taking these steps ensures that you have full control over the security of your new home.
Cost of Changing the Locks
The type of lock and the installation’s complexity are two variables that affect the cost of changing the locks. The cost might range from $88 to $600 or even more. This expense, though, is negligible in light of the peace of mind it may bring. Employing a qualified locksmith who can advise you on the finest locks for your property is vital. Purchasing high-quality locks may help you save money over time and maintain the security and safety of your home.
Conclusion
Changing the locks on your new house is a small investment that yields significant returns in terms of security and peace of mind. By prioritizing this important step, you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and your belongings from potential threats. Take control of your home’s security and start fresh by installing new locks that reflect your personal style and meet the highest safety standards. Ensure a smooth transition into your new home by changing the locks of your new house!
