Just moved in? Rekey the locks
You were handed three keys. Nobody can tell you how many exist.
When you settle on a house you inherit every key ever cut for it — previous owners, their family, tradespeople, cleaners, agents, the tenant before them. A rekey on the day you get the keys makes all of them useless without replacing a single lock, and brings the whole house onto one key. A typical Perth house is six to eight locks and takes about an hour. Our page on how we rekey the locks covers the visit itself.
- Best day
- The day you get the keys
- Covers
- Front, back, laundry, garage, gate, screens
- Takes
- About an hour for six to eight locks
Keys you cannot account for
Count who has held a key
Over a house’s life: the owners, their adult children, a parent who watered the plants, the painter, the cleaner, a property manager, every tenant and every one of their friends. Keys get copied at a counter for a few dollars and nobody writes it down. The three keys handed to you at settlement are the ones somebody remembered, not the ones that exist.
None of that is sinister. It is simply that a house key is a physical object that has been handled by dozens of people and there is no record. You cannot audit it, so change it.
Why rekeying, not new locks
A rekey changes the pins inside your existing locks to match a brand new key. The hardware stays on the door, the old keys stop working immediately, and it costs a fraction of replacing everything. We only recommend a new lock where one is worn out or failing.
What to include
Do not stop at the front door. A typical Perth house has a front door, a back door, a laundry door, a garage personnel door, a side gate and two or three security screens. That is six to eight cylinders and it is the whole point — leaving the back door on the old key defeats the exercise. We can put them all on one key.
The two-key problem
Many Perth houses have Gainsborough locks on the doors and Lockwood cylinders in the screens, which are different key profiles. Left alone you end up carrying two keys. It can usually be fixed by changing the screen cylinders, and we will tell you what yours needs before we start.
While we are there
It is a good moment to sort the things you would otherwise put off for a year: a deadbolt on a door that only has a latch, a screen door lock that never worked properly, a keypad lock so the kids do not carry keys, or a lock on the shed and the side gate.
Renting instead of buying?
Ask the property manager. In Western Australia a landlord is required to provide locks that make the premises reasonably secure, and any change to the locks is a matter for the owner, not the tenant. Consumer Protection Western Australia sets out what applies — worth a look before anyone changes anything.
What customers say
Tap any review to read it on Google.
“I highly recommend Magnus from Amco Locksmiths. He was very quick to respond to my enquiry and was able to see me the next day. He showed up on time, had great communication and was very professional and friendly throughout the process.”
Read on Google →“I recently moved to a new house and wanted to change the locks for security. Magnus arrived on time and worked efficiently to do just that, also cutting more windows keys and rekeying the garage remote. He even oiled the squeaky garage door at no cost! I would use Amco again in a heartbeat.”
Read on Google →“Great communication advising when he would arrive. Quick, friendly service and very knowledgeable. Highly recommended.”
Read on Google →“Very friendly and replies fast! Definitely recommend!!”
Read on Google →“I needed an emergency locksmith today (Friday) and Magnus from Amco came to the rescue. Absolutely pleasant man very friendly and curteous. Explained everything including cost upfront. Completed the job professionally. Will definitely recommend Amco Locksmiths and Magnus anytime.”
Read on Google →Straight answers
Do I really need to change the locks when I move in?
You need the keys changed, which is not the same as new locks. A rekey resets the pins so every key that exists for the house stops working.
When is the best time to do it?
The day you get the keys. It is one job while the house is empty and nothing has been moved in yet.
How many locks will it be?
A typical Perth house is six to eight — front, back, laundry, garage, side gate and the security screens. We count them with you before quoting.
Can I get one key for everything?
Usually yes. The common snag is Gainsborough doors with Lockwood screens, which are different profiles. We will tell you what yours needs.
I am renting. Can I change the locks?
Ask the property manager first — in Western Australia the locks are the owner’s responsibility, and Consumer Protection Western Australia sets out the rules on minimum security.
Can you do it on settlement day?
Yes, as soon as you have the keys. Book ahead if you can, since settlement days cluster.