Changing residential property locks is the bread and butter of any good locksmith. There are all sorts of reasons why homeowners and tenants elect to change their locks. Here is a quick guide to some of the most prominent motivations for a security overhaul.
A Bad Breakup
Some breakups are torturous not just because of the associated heartbreak but because of the threatening or abusive behavior displayed by one or both of the people involved. Breaking up with an abusive partner that you live with is hard enough without the constant worry that they can use their house keys to gain access to your space. If you are breaking up with somebody who has a history of not respecting your privacy, you must get your locks changed. It is often completely legal to change the locks after your partner has moved out.
Key Loss
Losing your keys can be incredibly annoying. Unfortunately, it can also put your home security at risk. A large percentage of burglaries are committed by thieves that have easy access to a home. If you keep your key under a rock or grate next to your door, you risk yourself. If you notice that your convenient hidden key is gone, then you need to change your locks as soon as possible.
Tampering
Have you noticed something unusual about your locks? Perhaps they no longer latch shut or are unusually stiff? If this is the case, then you need to change your locks, pronto. Tampering may be a sign that somebody has tried to break into your house. In most circumstances, this is actually a good sign. If a burglar has failed to enter your home once, then they are unlikely to return. However, occasionally it may be a sign of something more sinister. Either way, the time has come to change your locks.
A Break-In
Your locks are compromised after a break-in, especially if you have misplaced spare keys within your property. Burglars are typically desperate and opportunistic people. If they see a spare key knocking about in your home, they will typically spirit it away with them in order to provide the opportunity for further break-ins. Call a trusted home locksmith as soon as possible after a suspected home break in. Changing your locks after somebody has forced entry is essential.
Trouble With Landlords Or Tenants
Not every rental agreement ends with a unanimous good feeling. For example, landlords are often accused of entering their properties without their tenants’ approval – something that can be illegal and is certainly disconcerting. Likewise, tenants who have been kicked out may seek to re-enter properties. Therefore, both tenants and landlords have good reason to consider changing their locks. If you are a tenant, you need to be sure that you are able to change your locks in your tenancy agreement. If you are a landlord, you need to make sure you cannot be taken to court by tenants that suspect you might be entering without permission.
