Spring is just around the corner which means a peak in the sales of homes and lots of people moving into a new house.  Moving can be a stressful time, having to deal with many different people to start with, then the physical move and lastly the unpacking of personal belongings and trying to find a home for them all.  During this time home security is often the last thing on people minds, but in reality this should be one of the first things to consider when moving to a new place.

Change the locks

We are often asked ‘should we change the locks of our new home?’  The answer should always be, Yes, and should be one of the first security measures to take when moving.  When you are passed the keys to your lovely new property, you have absolutely no way of knowing who else has a set of these keys.  The only way to ensure that no one else can gain access yo tour home is to install a new set of locks.  A change of locks is not always as daunting as it sounds, cylinder locks are very easy to change and when replacing mortice locks, like for like these can also be fairly straight forward to change.  The hardest part of a lock change is purchasing the correct size of lock, for more details we have some lock measuring guides in our Help and FAQ’s section http://www.locktrader.co.uk/help-and-faqs.html

Insurance

Something to try and prepare for before the big move in date is insurance cover.  Moving insurance cover from the old property to the new is fairly straight forward, simply get in contact with your broker or insurance company and give them details of the new property and contact exchange date.  There is often an overlap time between contract exchange and move in date, so make sure that both properties are covered.  As premiums are calculated on many factors, the cost of cover may go up or down.

Perimeter Security

Not an immediate requirement, but should be completed within the first couple of weeks is a check of perimeter walls or fences.  Check to make sure that walls and fences are in good condition, also check for any garden security devices.  If the new property has one, a garden shed and it’s contents will need to be locked and secured.  Also take some time to review garage doors and garage locks.

For help and assistance with any home locks or security devices, please get in contact with our sales team