Moving to San Diego? Don’t Forget to Rekey Your New Home

A homeowner might not be aware of the vulnerability he or she faces upon moving to a different residence but there is an obvious one. You might be buying a new house but you’re entering it using a fresh set of old keys that have passed who knows how many hands before. Haven’t thought of that, have you?

Well, rekey house after move is a must. It guarantees that every bolt and tumbler in the lock responds solely to your key. This is a critical task that may be easily overlooked amidst the chaos of unpacking boxes and shifting furniture. Here are the reasons rekeying the home must be top priority.

1. Unknown Key Copies in Circulation

Even if you trust the previous owner, you can’t be certain how many key copies exist or who might still have them. Rekeying your locks eliminates this risk and ensures only your new keys provide access to your home.

2. Previous Contractor or Agent Access

Before you moved in, builders, realtors, inspectors, and other professionals may have had access to your keys. While they may be trustworthy, rekeying your home removes any uncertainty and fully secures your property.

3. Peace of Mind

When you rekey new homes, you establish your own sense of guaranteed security for the family. One simply can’t tell who among the former owners of your house or its builders might still have a spare key to one of the entrances. Why take the risk or have that possibility gnawing at you? Rekeying your residence ensures that only you and your family have the keys to the place. Think of it as locking the door on uncertainty.

4. Cost-Effective Security

A homeowner doesn’t necessarily require a costly renovation when it comes to improving the security of the house. Rekeying is a more affordable option than replacing locks entirely. A locksmith only modifies the internal pins and springs to make current locks function with a new key rather than installing entirely new locks. Instead of buying new hardware for each door, the rekeying process is a practical and affordable alternative.

5. Avoiding Liability and Complications

An insurance company may dispute whether reasonable precautions have been taken to secure the property if a former tenant still has a key and uses it to gain entry. A claim involving an unchanged key could complicate matters, and one’s losses might not be covered. As a matter of fact, landlords must rekey every time there’s a new tenant to protect themselves from legal liability in the event that a former leaseholder enters the property. 

The Key to True Security

It’s a great feeling to be handed the keys to your new home. What’s important, though, is to check if there’s a need for you to rekey the house after the move for the reasons we’ve already cited. Real peace of mind comes from knowing that those keys are yours alone. To avail of this security enhancement project for your residence, call San Diego Locksmith at 619-366-6500.