Should I Change My Locks After Moving In?
This is the age-old question. And there shouldn't be one. If you're moving into a new space - commercial or residential - at a minimum, have the locks rekeyed. Same locks, new keys.
Sometimes rekeying isn't enough. Full replacement makes more sense depending on the age and quality of the existing lock (is it a showpiece, or is it actual security?), or whether you have other needs - high-security locks, digital locks, or the ability to control access and see who's coming and going.
"The Previous Owners Seemed So Nice"
I hear this all the time. Customers skip the rekey because the previous owners seemed trustworthy, or because they got handed a big enough stack of keys at closing and figured that was plenty.
But it was never about how nice the previous owners were. And it was never about how many keys you were handed. It's about whose hands still have copies you don't know about.
Were keys given to a dog walker? A neighbor for safekeeping? A cleaning lady? A contractor? Keys in the wrong hands can mean real trouble. And if you think a vacant or between-tenant property is any safer, think again - the same risk applies any time a property changes hands.
A few years ago, a woman living in a "secure building" got out of the shower and found a stranger standing in her apartment. She asked what he was doing there. He said he had the wrong apartment, and he ran. She called us right after.
That's the kind of situation you can avoid by taking care of it from the start. It's also worth knowing that locks are only one part of what keeps you secure - but they are the part that controls who physically gets through your door.
Before You Settle In
Moving into a new space, commercial or residential, is the moment to get a security assessment. Understand where the vulnerabilities are so you can close them before they become a problem, not after. Many homeowners pair this with a look at their overall setup - including what their doorbell camera actually isn't capturing.
A security professional's advice is priceless here. Call a residential locksmith before you settle in, not after something happens.
We're Here When You're Ready
If you're in the DMV area and thinking about upgrading your home or business security - cameras, locks, smart access, or all of the above - we're always happy to talk it through.
Mike's Locksmith proudly serves homeowners and small businesses across Maryland, Virginia, and DC.
Also published on The Locksmith's Wife - read it on Substack
