Changing locks is easily overlooked in the whirlwind of moving to a new house, but it is frightening to think how many people could have duplicate keys to your new home.
“If you have just moved to a new house, you are almost twice as likely to be burgled”
We strongly recommend changing your locks for your family’s safety and your peace of mind.
Why Change the Locks?
Changing homes is a very stressful experience, even more if it is your first one, so it is no surprise that securing your new home by changing the locks is most of the times overlooked. However, unless you knew and trusted the previous tenants it is unlikely that you will know exactly how many sets of keys are out there available, if you have all of them or the previous tenant or the landlord has given copies to some other third parties.
According to statistics from the Home Office, you are almost twice as likely to be burgled in the first 12 months after moving to a new establishment compared with the average burglary rate (4.6% compared with 2.5%). You are nearly three times more likely to be burgled compared with those who have occupied their property for 10 years or more (4.6% compared to 1.6%).
Alarmingly those households with no home security measures were almost ten times (22.5%) more likely to be victims of burglary compared to households that carry out simple security upgrades (2.5%) such as fitting deadlocks on doors and window locks.
Who Else Has Spare Keys?
Around 37,500 homes will change hands this year with many buyers unaware that at least one spare set of keys is still available with a third party. According to a survey conducted by NOP on behalf of insurer NIG, over half (58%) of British residents give away spare sets of keys of their home to relatives, neighbor and friends.
The rate at which spare keys are not reclaimed considerably high in rental properties where 10% of tenants do not reclaim spare keys when they move on. The main recipients of spare keys from most householders are family members (73%); 14% give spare keys to neighbours and 8% give spare keys to friends.
Another survey conducted by Halifax Home Insurance found that 12 million adults have lost their keys over 6 times in the last ten years alongside identification or address details and still did not change their locks.
By not changing the locks and ensuring that all points of access around the house are secure, you could be putting yourself and your family in unnecessary danger. Furthermore, if you were to be broken into and possessions damaged or stolen your insurance claim may be void, as some insurance companies will state that if you have not changed the locks on moving house then you have not done enough to secure your property and prevent a burglary.
By following a simple procedure such as changing the locks you can guarantee that you are in control of who has access to every set of keys.
Other Reasons to Change the Locks
Other reasons to change the locks may include:
Could you exit through all necessary doors and windows in an emergency?
Does your property have adequate physical security?
Do you have keys to all your doors and windows, for general access and opening?
Are some of the locks broken or are any of the locks damaged – do they still work and are they secure?
Do your locks meet British Standard 3621:2004, now a stipulation of most insurance policies?
Pro UK Locksmiths has 24 hours, 7 days a week Lock Change Service.
Pro UK Locksmiths can change locks on doors and windows, including garage doors, external doors, and gates, etc. Our Locksmiths can also check that existing window locks and door locks have been correctly installed, are secure and conform to British Standards. As Pro UK Locksmiths provide a professional, reliable service 365 days a year, 24hours a day, Nationwide, we can arrange a visit at a time and date that is convenient to you.