When you move into a new home, you receive the keys. What you don't know is how many other copies exist: held by the previous owner or tenant, the agency, workmen, relatives, whoever did the cleaning.
What to do in the first few days
- Ask how many keys you were given and whether others exist.
- If you can't be certain, change the cylinder. Changing the cylinder doesn't mean changing the door, and afterwards the only keys that work are the ones in your hand.
- Have the door checked too: sometimes the lock is old but the door is sound and can be improved.
- Note who has copies, and make duplicates only yourself.
For tenants. If the home is rented, speak to the landlord before changing the cylinder: we can explain how to do it without damaging the door.
For the children of someone moving. If you help your parents with the move, bring them along: it is the right moment to sort this out too.