As a homeowner, you do everything you can to make your home safe. Whether you live in a house or an apartment, having reliable locks on your doors plays a crucial role in securing your home. Updating your lock system is a good step whenever safety and security are at stake. But when should locks be changed other than when they are broken? Let us take a look at the most common situations that necessitate changing the locks.
When you purchase a new house
Whether you purchase an older property or a new-build house, replacing the locks should be among the very first things on your move-in checklist. You never know how many copies of the key are out there for a home that previous families have occupied. It is your job as the new owner to have the locks replaced. Even if the house you bought is newly constructed, remember that contractors, inspectors, and real estate agents came and went during its construction. At some point, these people had access to the keys. Furthermore, some contractors use builder-grade locks when building homes to cut costs. It is best to consult a locksmith on which locks are best for securing your home.
When you have experienced a break-in or burglary
It is normal to feel anxious over your home’s security after a break-in or burglary. Even if the break-in was done through the window and the door locks were not damaged, you should still have them replaced. Having new locks on exterior doors will bring you peace of mind knowing no one else has potential copies of your keys. You can also use this time to add an extra layer of security, such as anti-pick and anti-snap locks, sash jammer, high-security locks, and window locks. Moreover, some insurance companies require changing the locks after a break-in. Your home insurance policy could be voided if you do not replace the locks and you get broken into again.
When a renter or tenant has moved out
If you are renting out or leasing your home, changing locks is recommended at the end of a lease for security reasons. Even if your tenant surrendered the original keys, you do not know for certain that they did not duplicate them. You should update the locks just to be safe and ensure they no longer have access to the houses. If your tenant has left without informing you and has taken the keys with them, you might consider changing the locks after notifying the tenant. However, you cannot simply change locks on the grounds of eviction and abandonment without undergoing the legal process first.
When a key has been stolen or gone missing
Even though the chances of a thief using a misplaced key to gain access to your home are minimal, it is strongly recommended to upgrade your locks if you lose your house keys. Changing your locks is the simplest approach to eliminate any risks that may arise as a result of misplaced house keys, especially if there is identifying information on a keychain. Rekeying the locks is a viable option, but some locks cannot be rekeyed, so you may have no other choice but to have them replaced completely.
Kardo Locksmith—reliable locksmith near me
Whether you are moving into a new place and need to have locks on your rental house changed, Kardo Locksmith can help. We provide a wide range of locksmith services including lock installation, replacement, and upgrade. We are experts in residential locksmith service. Call us today for more information to see what our locksmith Los Angeles professionals can do for you.