The short answer
Yes, you should change the locks when you move house. You have no way of knowing how many keys are still out there: former owners, their family, cleaners, builders, dog walkers and estate agents may all have had copies. Changing or rekeying the locks on moving day means only you can get in.
Who might still have a key to your new home?
- The previous owners and anyone they gave a spare to.
- Tradespeople, cleaners or carers who worked at the house.
- Estate agents who held keys for viewings.
- Former tenants, if the home was ever rented out.
Which locks to change first
- Front door. Usually the cylinder on a uPVC or composite door, or the mortice lock and nightlatch on a timber door.
- Back and side doors. Including French, patio and bi-fold doors.
- Garage door that leads into the house.
- Window locks if the keys are missing or shared.
Change or rekey?
On uPVC and composite doors, fitting a new Euro cylinder is quick and lets you upgrade to a TS007 3-star anti-snap cylinder. On timber doors, a good mortice lock can sometimes be rekeyed instead of replaced. If the lock is old, replacing it with a BS 3621 lock may help you meet your home insurance terms.
What does it cost?
Checkatrade's May 2026 cost guide puts a standard lock change at about £100 to £150, with anti-snap uPVC around £150 and mortice around £140. Changing several doors on one visit is cheaper per lock than separate visits, and cylinders can be keyed alike so one key opens every door.
How to plan it for moving day
- Book the locksmith as soon as you have a completion date.
- Count the outside doors and note the lock types if you can.
- Be at the property, or arrange access, for the visit.
- Keep the new keys safe and give spares only to people you trust.
Related service: moving home lock change.
A few common questions
Should I change the locks when I move house?expand_more
Yes. You cannot know who still holds keys to your new home, including previous owners, tradespeople, cleaners and estate agents. Changing or rekeying the locks on moving day is the only way to be sure that you are the only person who can get in.
How much does it cost to change all the locks in a house?expand_more
Checkatrade's May 2026 guide puts a standard lock change at about £100 to £150 per lock, with mortice locks around £140 and anti-snap uPVC around £150. Changing several doors on one visit costs less per lock. Ask for a written price that covers every door before the work starts.
Can I rekey instead of changing locks after moving?expand_more
Often, yes. Good mortice locks can be rekeyed so old keys no longer work. On uPVC and composite doors, fitting a new cylinder usually costs about the same as rekeying and lets you upgrade to an anti-snap TS007 3-star cylinder, which improves security.
How soon after moving should I change the locks?expand_more
Ideally on the day you get the keys, or as soon as possible after. The longer you wait, the longer someone with an old key could get in. Booking a locksmith once you know your completion date means the job can be done straight away.
Do I need to tell my insurer after changing locks?expand_more
It is a good idea to check your new home insurance policy lists the lock standards it needs, such as BS 3621 on final exit doors. Changing locks to meet those standards helps keep you covered. Keep the receipt showing what was fitted.