In Short, Yes Most Definitely!
We always recommend you change the locks when you move into a new house, Whether it’s a new build home or a 1930’s home. Reasons, Let’s deal with New Build Homes First:
As you can imagine, while a home is being built there are lots of trades involved, Electricians, Plumbers, Plasterers, Kitchen Fitters, Window and Door Installers, Bathroom Fitters etc, Just to name a few. Each trade will have been in possession of a key to that house at some stage, and as you can imagine keys get lost, misplaced and some are not handed back. So when you move in, you just don’t know who has keys.
Older houses which are not new build, will have a history of occupiers, who may not hand over all the keys because some were lost or packed away. They may have given keys out to children who past them onto boyfriends/Girlfriends. Relatives may have been given copies, Workmen and Gardiner’s etc.
So you have decided to have the locks changed, This would be an ideal time to make sure your locks are Insurance/Police Approved. Incidentally, If you do not change the locks, you may not be covered by your insurance, as you cannot prove who has keys and if you are broken into, you may not be covered. Always check with your Insurance Company.
So how do I know if my locks comply and how do I make sure the new locks comply? Well most modern houses will have either UPVC or Wooden Composite Doors, where you lift up the handle and turn the key to lock. These should be fitted with 3* Diamond Grade Cylinders. See below
The 3* and Kite Mark on the front of the cylinder indicates it is a cylinder type your insurance company is looking for.
On older houses with traditional wooden doors, you are looking for a Kitemark, such as the one on the lock pictured below.
As always, if in doubt speak to your local MLA (Master Locksmiths Assiciation) Approved Locksmith.
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