Do I have to change the locks on my new house?

You don't have to, but you absolutely should. It doesn't matter if the previous owner just changed them. You have no idea how many copies of those keys exist. The previous owner, their family, their neighbors, their dog walker, their house cleaner, their contractor, their real estate agent. Any of them could have a copy. Changing the locks is the only way to guarantee that you're the only one with access to your home. Rekeying is the cheaper option. A locksmith can rekey your existing locks so the old keys no longer work, and you get a new set. This typically costs $50 to $150 depending on how many locks you have. You don't need to replace the hardware, just the internal mechanism. If the existing locks are older or you want to upgrade, replacing them entirely with new deadbolts and knobs is another option. Smart locks with keypad entry are popular now and eliminate the key issue entirely since you can change the code anytime. Either way, do it the day you close or the day you move in. It takes less than an hour and it's the simplest security step you can take for a home you just bought.

Its not a bad idea to replace the locks when purchasing a home to ensure you are the only one with access. Some home warranties will provide new locks on a new purchase.

Heck YES! You never know who might have a key and you will feel more safe knowing it has been changed.

It is advised to change the locks on your new house. You cannot be certain who may have keys to the existing locks. Even if the previous owner handed over all the keys, there could still be duplicates out there that could compromise your home’s security. It is relatively inexpensive and gives you a peace of mind.

Gary that is a great question. I always suggest that my buyers have the locks rekeyed, garage codes, and any other codes changed. You do not know who else may still have the key. Also, rekeying to one key for all the locks is a lifesaver :) No more trying to figure out what key goes to which door.

You definitely don't "have to", but you never know who had access so I always recommend changing them

Hi! I always advise my buyers to change all the locks on the external doors no matter how new they are. There are some locksmiths who can just change the core of the locks (much less expensive) - ask a good locksmith in your area. Congratulations on your new home!

You should plan to change the locks on a new house that you have purchased. You never know, maybe the sellers left a key with a neighbor one time when they went on vacation.

I always recommend changing the locks to your new house or for your new tenant. If you got a home warranty they usually cover changing to new locks.