Should you change the locks when you move into a new home?
Updated · KeystoneProGuide editorial team
Do you really need to change the locks after you move?
Yes, by every source consulted for this guide. ALOA, the locksmiths' trade association, says that if you have just bought a house, new or old, you should have the locks changed. Police say the same. The King County Sheriff's Office in Washington State lists "re-key or change all locks when moving into a new home" among its lock tips. Lower Moreland Township police in Montgomery County tell residents to always change the locks when they move into a new home or apartment, and Northampton Township police in Bucks County give the same instruction on their crime prevention page.
It is a common situation. In the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 estimates, 3.7 percent of Pennsylvania householders had moved into their home since 2023.
Why is it necessary if the seller handed over the keys?
Because you cannot know how many keys exist. ALOA says it is rare that all keys are turned over to a new owner, and calls rekeying the only way to secure a home against former key holders. A seller can hand over every key they have and still not know who else was given a copy over the years.
Keys do get used in burglaries. In federal survey data for 2003 to 2007, residents who were home during an unlawful-entry burglary said in nearly four percent of cases that the offender had a key and used it. That is a small share, but it is the share a rekey removes.
Does a brand-new house need it too?
ALOA says yes, and for a specific reason. Many new houses are built as part of a development, and their locks often have a feature called construction keying. ALOA describes it as a convenience for the developer during construction that creates a security risk once the owner takes possession, and says rekeying is the only way to make sure the developer no longer has access. That is the association's account of how builder locks are commonly set up; ask your builder or a locksmith whether it applies to yours.
Should you rekey or buy new locks?
Rekey if the existing locks are sound; replace them if they are not. ALOA says the choice depends on the condition and suitability of the locks, and that older houses may have a mix of lock types of varying quality. Rekey or replace goes through the decision and the prices. For a whole house, Angi gives $200 to $500 to rekey four to six locks, and HomeGuide gives $95 to $270 for three doors including the trip fee. Booking the job for a weekday after you move avoids the after-hours charges every survey adds; HomeGuide puts emergency rates at $150 to $250 an hour.
Which locks should you include?
More than the front door.
- Every exterior door, including the back door, side door and any door into the house from the garage.
- The garage and outbuildings. ALOA suggests rekeying garage locks and the locks on any storage buildings at the same time.
- Anything with a code. If the house came with a keypad or smart lock, its codes and app accounts are the electronic version of old keys. The Federal Trade Commission advises changing any default username and password on a connected device and not reusing passwords. The FTC also once took action against a smart lock maker whose app had flaws that, it alleged, prevented users from effectively revoking access, so after resetting a lock, check that old users and codes are really gone.
- Spare keys hidden outside. The King County sheriff says to give a spare to a neighbor instead of hiding one, because burglars know where to look.
While a locksmith is there, it is a good moment to check whether every exterior door has a deadbolt; Lower Moreland police say a knob lock alone is not enough.
What should renters do first?
Ask before you change anything. ALOA says it is recommended to change the locks when you move into an apartment, but that you should first check the rental office's lock change policy. A landlord may require new locks to fit an existing master key system, or may need you to provide a working key. ALOA adds that local ordinances may also apply, and that a renter should insist the locks be changed or get in writing why the owner will not. That is the association's advice. No Pennsylvania state or Philadelphia rule on tenants changing locks was found for this guide, so read your lease and ask the landlord in writing.
Who should do the work?
A locksmith who passes the checks in how to choose a locksmith. Pennsylvania has no locksmith license, but the Attorney General says locksmiths doing repairs, replacements or installations on homes must register as home improvement contractors, within the law's limits. A whole-house rekey or new deadbolts is the kind of job that answer describes. Local businesses are on the locksmiths directory page.
Sources
- Should I Change My Locks When I Move Into a House?, ALOA Security Professionals Association
- Doors and locks, King County Sheriff's Office
- Prevent Burglaries with these tips from Chief Smith!, Lower Moreland Township Police Department
- Crime Prevention, Northampton Township Police Department
- 2020-2024 ACS 5-Year Narrative Profile: Pennsylvania, U.S. Census Bureau
- Victimization During Household Burglary (press release), Bureau of Justice Statistics
- Securing Your Internet-Connected Devices at Home, Federal Trade Commission
- Canadian Maker of Smart Locks Settles FTC Allegations That it Deceived Consumers about its Security Practices, Federal Trade Commission
- Frequently Asked Questions: Home Improvement Contractor Registration, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
- How Much Does a Locksmith Cost? [2026 Data], Angi
- How Much Does a Locksmith Cost?, HomeGuide