Bought a Second-Hand Home in Ireland? Don’t Forget the Locks.
Getting the keys is the moment your new home becomes yours. It is also the point at which it makes sense to think about who else may still have a key.
The practical answer
You do not automatically need to replace every lock in a house you buy. But if you cannot account for every previous key, changing or rekeying the main external locks is a sensible security step to consider.
There is a particular feeling that comes with collecting the keys to your new home.
The mortgage has been arranged. Your solicitor has completed the legal work. The sale has closed. The estate agent hands over the keys, and suddenly the property is no longer a place you were viewing or negotiating over.
It is your home.
Most people start thinking about furniture, electricity, broadband, removals and what needs painting.
There is another question worth asking before you hand a spare key to anyone:
With a second-hand property, you may never know the complete history of every key that has been cut for the doors.
A previous owner may have given a spare to a relative. A neighbour may have held one for emergencies. A builder may have needed access during renovation work. A cleaner, property manager, tenant or tradesperson may also have had a key at some point.
None of those situations necessarily indicate a problem. The issue is simply that you cannot always know who has retained a copy.
That is why changing or rekeying the locks deserves consideration when you buy an existing home.
Even the CCPC tells new homeowners to consider changing the locks
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s guidance for people buying a home explains that, after closing, the seller or their solicitor hands over the keys and the buyer can move in.
The CCPC also advises buyers to consider changing the locks for peace of mind.
Read the CCPC’s “Get the Keys” guidance ↗The day you get the keys is the day to think about access
Closing day is normally busy. You may have a removal company booked, family arriving, deliveries organised and contractors waiting to begin work.
That is exactly why a quick security check is useful.
Before the property becomes busy, take a walk around the house and identify every external door and key-operated entrance.
Who might still have a key to your new home?
This is where changing the locks becomes less about suspicion and more about certainty.
Consider how many people may have needed access during the life of the property.
A home may have been occupied for many years, with spare keys made and distributed over time.
Relatives may have been given keys for convenience or emergencies.
Some homeowners leave a spare key with a trusted neighbour.
Builders, electricians, plumbers and other contractors may have needed access.
Regular domestic access often means a key has been issued.
Rental properties can have a longer and more complicated key history.
The PSA makes essentially the same practical point in its consumer guidance: homeowners should think about how many keys have been made and where those keys are. If you cannot account for all the keys to your front door, the PSA advises you to consider the potential security risk and think about changing the lock.
Read the PSA’s consumer guidance for locksmiths ↗Rekeying or replacing the lock: which do you actually need?
“Change the locks” is common language, but there are several different things a locksmith might recommend depending on the door.
There is no reason to replace hardware that is perfectly suitable simply because you bought the property.
At the same time, changing only the keying arrangement may not be the best solution if the existing hardware is old, damaged or not suitable for the door.
The sensible approach is to inspect the actual locking system first.
Bought a house and not sure what needs changing?
Dyno-Locks can assess existing door locks and advise on cylinder replacement, lock replacement, repairs and suitable security upgrades.
Explore Locksmith Services →What if your new home has a uPVC or composite door?
Many Irish homes use doors fitted with multipoint locking systems. These can have several locking points around the edge of the door and commonly incorporate a euro cylinder.
If the key turns poorly, the handle feels stiff, or the locking points are not engaging properly, simply replacing the key may not solve the problem.
The issue could involve the cylinder, the multipoint mechanism, the gearbox, door alignment or another component of the locking system.
Forcing a key or handle can turn a relatively straightforward repair into a broken-key or lockout problem.
Do you need to change every lock in the house?
No.
There is no universal rule that says a new homeowner has to replace every lock in a property.
Begin with the main access points and then consider the rest of the property based on how it is used.
| Area | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Front door | Main entry point, cylinder condition, key history and overall lock operation. |
| Rear door | Often uses a separate key or locking system. |
| Side entrance | May be overlooked when reviewing the property’s security. |
| Garage | Consider the door lock, cylinders, remote controls and access arrangements. |
| Shed / gate | Check older padlocks, cylinders and who has the keys. |
| Patio doors | Check the locking mechanism, handles and general condition. |
What if the property was previously rented?
A former rental property is worth a particularly careful look.
Depending on how the property was managed, keys may previously have been held by tenants, landlords, property managers, letting agents, cleaners or maintenance contractors.
That does not mean the property is insecure.
It simply means that the new owner may have less certainty about the history of the keys.
Rekeying or replacing suitable external locks can therefore be a straightforward way of establishing a fresh access arrangement when ownership changes.
A simple new-home security checklist
You can save this checklist for the day you get the keys.
What about your home insurance?
Your insurance policy is another reason to review the property’s security when you move in.
However, do not assume that every Irish home-insurance policy has identical security conditions.
Read your own policy and check what it says about locks, doors, windows, alarms or other security requirements.
If the wording is unclear, ask your insurer or broker rather than relying on a generic online checklist.
What should a locksmith check in a newly purchased home?
A useful inspection is not simply about looking at the key.
The door, frame and locking mechanism all work together.
This is important because changing a cylinder will not repair a damaged multipoint gearbox, and replacing a key will not correct a badly aligned door.
Check the locksmith you hire
Locksmithing is a licensable private-security activity in Ireland. The Private Security Authority requires contractors providing locksmith services to hold the appropriate licence.
The PSA maintains a public register of registered contractors, allowing consumers to check licence information.
How much does it cost to change locks after buying a house in Ireland?
There is no single price because the work varies significantly between properties.
A straightforward cylinder change is different from replacing a complete mortice lock or repairing a multipoint door mechanism.
The total price can depend on:
- The type of lock or cylinder.
- The number of doors involved.
- The condition of the existing hardware.
- Whether repair or replacement is required.
- The specification of replacement hardware.
- Whether the work is planned or an emergency call-out.
For that reason, a quote based on the actual door and locking system is more useful than assuming every new homeowner will pay the same amount.
Has the lock become stiff, damaged or impossible to operate?
Don’t force it. Dyno-Locks provides emergency locksmith support for lockouts, damaged locks, broken keys and other door-security problems.
Don’t undo your new security by giving out too many spare keys
One benefit of changing or rekeying your locks is that you have a clear starting point.
Keep it that way.
Before making copies, think about who actually needs permanent access to your home.
A small number of people may need a spare key. Others may only need temporary access while work is being carried out.
The simplest principle is:
What if you’re not moving in straight away?
Some buyers complete a purchase and then spend weeks or months renovating before moving in.
In that situation, think about everyone who may need access during the renovation period.
The CCPC also advises homeowners who are not moving into a property immediately to make sure it is secure and insured.
A practical approach can be to establish a secure access arrangement at closing, manage contractor access during the works and then review the locks again before the house becomes your permanent home.
Your home is new to you. Give the keys a fresh start too.
Buying a second-hand house does not mean you should assume the previous owners, tenants or contractors present a security threat.
It means you probably cannot reconstruct the complete history of every key that has ever been made.
That is why the simplest point to remember is the one you can act on immediately:
For some properties, that may mean rekeying an otherwise suitable lock. For others, replacing a cylinder or upgrading the locking system may be the better choice.
The right answer depends on the door, the existing hardware and your requirements.
Just got the keys?
Tell Dyno-Locks what you have bought and what you are concerned about. We can advise on lock changes, cylinder replacement, repairs and security upgrades.
Questions homeowners often ask
Buying a home comes with a lot of decisions. Here are some of the practical lock and key questions worth thinking about after closing.
It is a sensible security measure to consider, particularly if you cannot account for all previous keys. The CCPC specifically advises new homeowners to consider changing the locks for peace of mind after closing.
There is no general requirement that every new homeowner must replace every lock. The decision depends on the property’s history, existing hardware, condition of the locks and your own security requirements.
No. Rekeying changes the keying arrangement of suitable existing hardware. Replacing a cylinder or lock involves fitting new hardware. A locksmith can assess which approach is suitable for your door.
Depending on the property’s history, previous owners, relatives, neighbours, tenants, cleaners, contractors, tradespeople or property managers may previously have been given keys.
Arranging the work around closing can be a practical way of establishing control over access before you begin distributing new spare keys.
The main external doors are the obvious starting point. You should also consider side entrances, garages, sheds, gates and any other key-operated access.
No. The useful approach is to assess the property’s external access points and the condition of its locking systems rather than replacing everything automatically.
A multipoint door can have several locking points and components including a cylinder and gearbox. If the door is difficult to lock, the underlying problem may need repair rather than simply changing the key.
Yes. Locksmithing is a licensable private-security activity in Ireland. The PSA provides information about locksmith licensing and maintains a public register of registered contractors.
The Private Security Authority provides a public register of registered contractors where consumers can search available licence information.
Official sources & further reading
This article uses official Irish consumer and regulatory guidance where relevant. These are the primary sources we recommend checking for the latest information.
Locksmiths Dublin | Door Lock Repairs | Smart Locks Dublin | Locksmiths North Dublin
