Changing the locks on your home isn’t something most people think about regularly, but it’s an important part of maintaining home security. Here are the general recommendations for how often — and under what circumstances — you should change or rekey your home locks: For more information please visit 911-locksmith.com

When You Should Change or Rekey Your Home Locks

1. After Moving into a New Home

Even if it’s a new build, contractors, realtors, or previous owners may have copies of your keys. Always change or rekey your locks when moving in.

2. After a Break-In or Attempted Break-In

If your home has been burglarized or if there’s evidence someone tried to break in, replace the locks immediately to prevent further risk.

3. Lost or Stolen Keys

If you lose your keys or suspect they’ve been stolen, change or rekey the locks right away — even if you have spares.

4. After a Roommate, Tenant, or Partner Moves Out

Even if they returned their keys, they could have made copies. Protect yourself by updating the locks.

5. Every Few Years (as a Security Best Practice)

Experts recommend rekeying your locks every 3–5 years, even if there’s no specific incident. This helps ensure your home remains secure and up-to-date.

6. When Locks Are Old, Damaged, or Malfunctioning

If your locks stick, rust, or no longer latch properly, it’s time to replace them — faulty locks are a serious security risk.

Rekeying vs. Replacing Locks

  • Rekeying involves changing the internal pins so old keys no longer work. It’s cheaper and faster.
  • Replacing means installing entirely new hardware — ideal for outdated or damaged locks or major security upgrades (e.g., switching to smart locks).

Summary

  • Minimum frequency: Every 3–5 years
  • Immediately: After moving, losing keys, break-ins, or when someone with access moves out
  • As needed: When locks wear out or for security upgrades