Change the locks?

[Snowbirdtobe]

Just closed on a home that has been a rental in the past. Should I change the locks?

[Pats2010]

Just closed on a home that has been a rental in the past. Should I change the locks?

Since you are thinking about it, for your peace of mind, it would be worth it. I'm sure you will get some posts saying how "safe" it is there in the Villages but you might sleep better if you did?
FYI I probably wouldn't, myself.

[redwitch]

I recommend that anyone purchasing a pre-owned home have the locks changed. You have no idea who has a key to your place -- some homeowners give copies to every tradesperson imaginable, their neighbors, their friends and so on; some have a key "hidden" that everyone knows exactly where it is. You just have no idea who might have a key.

That being said, I do know of several who have not changed their locks and have not even considered it. They have had no problems so far that I know of.

So, do what makes you comfortable. It really does seem you're right either way.

[Freeda]

Definitely. As mentioned above, if nothing else, you'll sleep better.

[Boomer]

Mr. Boomer and I have owned several houses. And every single time, Mr. Boomer has had the locks changed, first thing. Mr. Boomer is a laid-back, low-key kind of guy. But he always makes sure the locks are changed.

These are not houses in TV, but no matter where the house is, a new owner has no way of really knowing how many keys are out there.

(Of course, Mr. Boomer also gets an oil change every 3000 miles, no matter what the manual says, and he also makes sure the tires get rotated. But, on the other hand, he has been known to jump out of perfectly good airplanes.) So anyway, the Boomers change the locks.

Boomer

[K9-Lovers]

Yes, the prudent thing to do is to change the locks.

[zcaveman]

It is a no-brainer. Change the locks.

Such a small expense for peace of mind.

[Pturner]

Change the locks and throw away the (old) key.

[hdh1470]

Just closed on a home that has been a renntal in the past. Should I change the locks?

I have been a locksmith for 40 yrs and you must change locks even if a new home. These locks are on a construction master key and even if they tell you once you use your key the master will no longer work that is not true.If you do not want to pay someone go and buy new locks and put them in yourself .its a small amount to pay to be safe

[jerry miller]

If by chance you have the newer Kwik Set locks on your doors,you can rekey these without changing the existing locks. I think you insert a different key into the lock and use a small tool that goes into the lock and resets the locking mechanism for the new key. If you do change the locks,these type locks are great replacements. I got mine at Home Depot.

[hdh1470]

If by chance you have the newer Kwik Set locks on your doors,you can rekey these without changing the existing locks. I think you insert a different key into the lock and use a small tool that goes into the lock and resets the locking mechanism for the new key. If you do change the locks,these type locks are great replacements. I got mine at Home Depot.

Thats a more exspensive lock,but a good option.I would buy schlage instead a much better lock they have the same type of lock that can be rekeyed by the end user

[SALYBOW]

I just built a new home. Wewatched the builder chane the locks from the construction key to a new set. Are we safe? I never gave it another thought.

[hdh1470]

I just built a new home. Wewatched the builder chane the locks from the construction key to a new set. Are we safe? I never gave it another thought.

if they are the ones that are rekeyable by using a tool that is inserted in the front of the lock yes you are safe,if he just used your keys and turned them then not as safe.even if he shows you the master key no longer works it may still if you wiggle or tap key when inserting,it has only stopped working by trapping ball bearings that are only .020 of a inch in a few chambers.that being said I have never heard of problems in the villages but have in other areas over the years

[k2at]

In a rancher, it is so easy to gain access to a home that I am not sure changing the locks will keep the bad guys out. If it gives u piece of mind, then do it.

[k2at]

I think that getting a German Shepard will provide u with a lot more protection. Up North a friend of mine has a no trespassing sign on his lawn that says "Dog on grounds. No Trespassing. All SURVIVORS will be prosecuted."

[hdh1470]

In a rancher, it is so easy to gain access to a home that I am not sure changing the locks will keep the bad guys out. If it gives u piece of mind, then do it.

You are right so many easy ways to get in.but lets not make it to easy were the use a key and are in so fast and look as they are not breaking in.

[zcaveman]

In a rancher, it is so easy to gain access to a home that I am not sure changing the locks will keep the bad guys out. If it gives u piece of mind, then do it.

So explain!

[OpusX1]

I change locks on every new/preowned home we have bought. That being said locks only keep honest people out. Most of the new locks you buy at the big box stores can be opened by anyone with a small hammer and a blank key. lock safety is all in our heads.

[hdh1470]

I change locks on every new/preowned home we have bought. That being said locks only keep honest people out. Most of the new locks you buy at the big box stores can be opened by anyone with a small hammer and a blank key. lock safety is all in our heads.

Sorry that is not true,yes some may be by having a key cut a certain way which i will not explain.But most manufactures have starting using different top tumblers that make it harder.I know this because I pick locks every day

[cynkr67]

I think that getting a German Shepard will provide u with a lot more protection. Up North a friend of mine has a no trespassing sign on his lawn that says "Dog on grounds. No Trespassing. All SURVIVORS will be prosecuted."

That's funny. I heard another one...a sign with a gun pictured on it that says "We don't bother calling 911"

[jennypatel]

Changing the locks will not cost you so much high. So, if you want the better peace of mind, then you must change the locks. Try to buy the best locks so that it provides the good security.

[taylor111947]

During a recent renovation, I had a keypad lock installed on my back door. I can add/change/delete keycodes very easily. This way I can give a keycode to someone who needs access when I'm not there and delete it when they are gone - no extra keys floating around. Usually I use the last four digits of their phone number so it's easy for them to remember and easy for me to set up. I also had a keypad added to my garage door which is very convenient if I want to get in through the garage.

[JoInTV]

I just built a new home. Wewatched the builder chane the locks from the construction key to a new set. Are we safe? I never gave it another thought.

Hi SALYBOW!

Did the builder do this at the closing walk-through? Did he rekey using the tool that hdh1470 described in his post?

Master keys are definitely out there. We were at Floormasters discussing installing tile when they wanted to know when the guy could come out to measure. When I told him that we didn't own the house yet, he said that in that case, he'd go out in the next couple of days and measure as he could get into any of the new houses with his key. Sure enough, a couple of days later I got a call from the salesman at Floormasters that they had gotten in the house and done the measuring for the tile.

We are closing on the house on Monday and that incident got us to thinking that we should have the locks changed. Who the heck else has master keys to all of these new houses??