Moving Home

B&B Locksmiths supplies, fits, repairs, replaces and upgrades locks and mechanical security hardware for homeowners, tenants, landlords, letting agents and managing agents before, during or after a move throughout Oxford and Oxfordshire.

Whether you have bought a home, started a new tenancy or are preparing a property for new occupants, we can inspect the existing locks and recommend appropriate changes, repairs or security upgrades.

Moving Home Locksmith Services in Oxford

Moving home is a sensible time to review the locks and take control of who can enter the property.

Even if the previous occupants have returned all the keys supplied to them, additional copies may have been given to relatives, neighbours, cleaners, contractors, tradespeople or former tenants. Changing the relevant locks or cylinders can prevent previously issued keys from continuing to provide access. Where compatible locks allow it, rekeying may also be an option.

B&B Locksmiths can inspect the existing locks, identify worn, faulty or unsuitable hardware and advise on practical lock changes and mechanical security improvements suited to the property.

Why Change the Locks After Moving Home?

A lock change or security review may be appropriate if:

The property has recently been purchased
A new tenancy has begun
Not all existing keys can be accounted for
Keys may still be held by previous occupants, contractors, agents or other keyholders
The property was previously rented or used as shared accommodation
A lock is worn, damaged or difficult to operate
The existing locks do not provide the preferred level of security
The locks do not meet specific requirements stated in the occupant's home insurance policy
The property has an unnecessarily large number of keys for different external doors
Several locks or access points need to be checked during the same appointment

Changing a lock does not always require the complete locking system to be replaced. Depending on the type and condition of the hardware, replacing only the cylinder, lock case or another relevant component may be sufficient.

Locks That May Need Changing

Locks commonly inspected or replaced after moving home include:

Euro cylinders on uPVC, composite and aluminium doors
Multipoint door-locking mechanisms
Mortice locks on timber doors
Night latches and rim cylinders
Patio-door and French-door locks
Window locks and locking handles
Garage-door locks
Gate and shed locks
Communal entrance cylinders, where the necessary permission has been obtained
Post-box, mailbox and external-storage locks
Key safes, including changing access codes where appropriate

The appropriate work will depend on the door, the existing hardware, its condition and the level of security required.

uPVC, Composite and Aluminium Doors

Many uPVC, composite and aluminium entrance doors use a multipoint locking mechanism operated by a euro cylinder.

Where the locking mechanism is working correctly, it may only be necessary to replace the cylinder so that the old keys no longer open the door.

B&B Locksmiths can check:

The type and size of the existing cylinder
Whether the cylinder projects too far beyond the handle
The condition of the handles and security hardware
Whether the key turns smoothly
Whether the multipoint mechanism engages correctly
Whether the door and keeps align correctly
Whether an anti-snap or higher-security cylinder would be a suitable upgrade

A cylinder must be correctly sized for the door. A poorly sized cylinder may project unnecessarily from the handle or interfere with the operation of the lock.

Timber Door Locks

Timber entrance doors may be fitted with mortice locks, night latches, rim cylinders or a combination of locking devices.

Where appropriate, an existing lock may be replaced or upgraded with a product certified to a relevant British Standard. The correct lock will depend on the construction and condition of the door, the existing preparation, the required method of operation and any requirements specified by the customer’s insurer.

Where the existing lock remains serviceable, replacing the relevant cylinder or lock component may be sufficient to prevent the old keys from working.

Any replacement should be fitted carefully so that the lock operates smoothly without unnecessarily weakening the door or frame.

Keyed-Alike Locks

Where compatible lock types are fitted, it may be possible to arrange for one key to operate multiple locks.

This can reduce the number of keys needed for the property while retaining separate locks on individual doors. It may be useful for compatible front, back, side, garage, gate and outbuilding locks.

The available options will depend on the types of lock, cylinder sizes and access requirements. Not every existing lock can be incorporated into the same keyed-alike system.

Patio Doors, French Doors and Windows

Patio doors, French doors and accessible windows should also be considered when reviewing the security of a new home.

We can check for missing or unidentified keys, stiff or damaged locks, loose handles, worn locking mechanisms, faulty shoot bolts and alignment problems that prevent doors or windows from securing correctly.

B&B Locksmiths can inspect the existing hardware and advise on suitable repairs, replacements or mechanical security improvements.

Window locks must remain suitable for the room and should not interfere with any required means of escape.

Garages, Gates and Outbuildings

A moving-home lock assessment should not be limited to the main entrance doors.

Garages, sheds, side gates and external stores may contain bicycles, tools, gardening equipment and other valuable belongings. Keys for these areas may also have been shared separately from the main house keys.

Depending on the existing hardware, suitable work may include replacement garage, gate or shed locks, door bolts, hasps and staples, padlocks and improved keeps or fixings. Unidentified padlocks or locking devices may also need to be removed or replaced.

The strength and condition of the door, frame and surrounding structure should be considered alongside the lock and its fixings. A strong lock may provide limited protection when fitted to weak or damaged hardware or materials.

Missing or Unidentified Keys and Key Safes

Where keys are missing, their history is unknown or it is unclear how many copies remain in circulation, changing the relevant lock or cylinder can prevent those keys from continuing to provide access.

Where an existing key safe is to remain in use, its access code should be changed where the design allows. The keys stored inside, the condition and position of the key safe and whether it is still required should also be reviewed.

Moving-Day and Pre-Booked Lock Changes

Lock changes can be arranged for moving day or shortly after completion, subject to access to the property and appointment availability.

Where the lock types are known in advance, clear photographs can help us provide an initial indication of the likely work. However, the exact lock dimensions, compatibility and condition may need to be confirmed at the property before replacement parts are selected.

Customers should ensure that they are legally entitled to authorise work at the property and have permission to access it at the agreed appointment time.

Rental, Leasehold and Communal Properties

Tenants should check their tenancy agreement, discuss proposed lock changes with the landlord or managing agent and obtain permission where required.

Leaseholders may also need permission before altering:

Communal entrance locks
Master-keyed locks
Locks forming part of a managed access system
Doors or hardware maintained by the freeholder
Fire doors or doors forming part of a communal escape route

A communal or master-keyed lock should not be changed without the appropriate authority, as doing so may affect access for other authorised users or building management.

Home Insurance and Lock Standards

Home insurance policies may specify particular types or standards of lock for external doors and accessible windows.

Customers should check the exact security requirements stated in their policy before selecting replacement locks. We can identify the existing hardware and explain suitable replacement options, but the insurer should confirm whether a particular locking arrangement satisfies the policy.

Correct Lock Selection and Fitting

Correct selection, measurement, fitting and adjustment are essential for reliable operation and security.

The lock, cylinder, handles, mechanism, keep, door and frame must work together so that the door closes, locks and unlocks reliably.

Replacing a cylinder will not correct a failed multipoint mechanism, significant door misalignment or weakness elsewhere in the door or frame. Where a fault is present, the complete locking arrangement should be assessed before parts are replaced.

Any additional security measures should also remain practical for the occupants and must not compromise any required means of escape.

Moving-Home Lock Changes and Security Checks

B&B Locksmiths can inspect the property's existing mechanical locks and security hardware, identify faulty or unsuitable locks and check access points where keys are missing or their history is unknown. We can then advise which locks or components should be retained, repaired, changed or upgraded.

B&B Locksmiths is an MLA Approved Company. Our locksmiths are DBS-checked, and all work is carried out directly by us rather than subcontracted, so customers know who will attend their new property.

If you are moving home and need locks changed in Oxford or Oxfordshire, contact B&B Locksmiths for clear, practical advice, professional fitting and reliable local service.

To help us assess the property, please have all available keys ready for the appointment and identify any doors, windows, garages, gates, outbuildings or key safes for which a key is missing or its history is unknown.