Rekey or replace? How to decide when you move into a new place

The real problem is unknown key holders

When you take possession of a property, you inherit whatever key situation the previous occupants left behind: copies given to family, tradespeople, cleaners, a former housemate, or an agent who has since changed hands. Nobody can tell you how many exist.

Restoring key control is the point. Whether you rekey or replace is a cost and condition question, not a security-level question — both stop old keys working.

When rekeying is the better spend

Rekeying repins the existing cylinder so it works with a new key. The hardware stays on the door.

• The locks are in good working order and operate smoothly.
• The hardware is a recognisable brand and reasonably modern.
• You want several doors keyed alike without replacing everything.
• You are renting and cannot alter the hardware without permission.

When replacement makes more sense

Sometimes the cylinder is not worth saving.

• The lock sticks, grinds or needs the key wiggled to turn.
• The hardware is unbranded or visibly low grade.
• There is no deadbolt at all, only a latch.
• You want features the old hardware cannot provide, such as anti-snap protection.

A sensible order of work

Handle the entry doors first, then secondary doors, then windows. Doing everything at once is often unnecessary — a locksmith can stage the work and quote each stage separately.

• Front and back entry doors: rekey or upgrade to a deadbolt.
• Garage internal door: treat it as an external door, because it is one.
• Sliding doors and ground-floor windows: fit key-operated locks.
• Ask for keyed-alike where cylinder types allow it, so you carry one key.