New Home Lock Checklist: Keys, Codes, and Doors to Check

When you move into a home, you inherit its keys along with its doors. You rarely know how many copies exist or who has them. Previous owners or tenants, their relatives, a neighbor who watered plants, cleaners, contractors, and real estate agents may all have had access at some point. This checklist helps you account for every way into the home and decide what to change.

Step 1: Walk every entry point

Go around the home and list each door and opening that locks. It's easy to miss a few.

• Front door
• Back and side doors
• The door from the garage into the house
• Patio or sliding glass doors
• Basement or cellar doors
• Storm doors with their own lock
• Gates, sheds, and detached garages
• Windows with locks, especially on the ground floor

For each one, note the lock type (deadbolt, knob, lever, handleset, keypad, or smart lock), the brand if it's printed on the lock, and whether it works smoothly. A photo of each lock saves time later.

Step 2: Gather every key and code you were given

Put all the keys in one place and try each one in each lock. Label what works. Then list the access that isn't a physical key:

• Garage door remotes and exterior keypad codes
• Smart lock codes, apps, and connected accounts
• Alarm or security system codes
• Gate or community access fobs
• Mailbox keys

Anything you can't account for is worth treating as out of your control.

Step 3: Reset the access that isn't a key

These steps don't involve a locksmith, but they're easy to forget in the middle of a move.

1. Garage door opener. Check the opener's manual for how to clear stored remotes and change the keypad code.
2. Smart locks. Remove previous users and codes, and set the lock up under your own account using the manufacturer's instructions. A reset doesn't change the physical key cylinder if the lock has one.
3. Alarm system. Contact the alarm provider to change codes and update the account holder.
4. Mailbox. If your mailbox is part of a shared cluster unit, ask your local post office who handles lock changes before anyone works on it.

Step 4: Decide what to rekey and what to replace

For the physical locks, you generally have two paths.

• [Rekeying](/services/lock-rekeying/) changes the inside of the cylinder so old keys stop working. The hardware stays. It suits locks that work well and look the way you want.
• [Replacement](/services/lock-replacement/) installs new hardware with new keys. It suits locks that are worn, damaged, or not what you want.

You can mix both, for example by rekeying the front door and replacing a worn back door deadbolt. If you'd like one key for all your exterior doors, check whether the locks share a brand and key design. Our guide to rekeying vs. replacing locks goes into more detail.

If you're shopping for new hardware, some packaging lists ANSI/BHMA grades or ratings. Those describe how the product performed in standardized tests. They're useful for comparing products, but they don't replace a solid door and a careful installation.

Step 5: Check the door, not just the lock

A lock is only one part of a secure door. While you're doing the walk-through, look for:

• A deadbolt that extends fully and turns without forcing
• A door that closes and latches without lifting or shoving
• A strike plate that's firmly attached, not loose or cracked
• Gaps, rot, or splits in the frame near the lock
• Sliding doors that close fully and lock without jiggling

Problems like these are often a matter of adjustment or lock repair, and it makes sense to address them before or alongside any lock changes.

Step 6: Get your paperwork together

A locksmith asked to change locks should confirm that you're authorized to have it done. Expect to show:

• Photo ID
• Proof that you own or live in the home, such as closing documents, a deed, a lease, or a utility bill in your name

If you've just closed and your ID still shows a prior address, keep the closing paperwork handy. This check is part of the service process, and it protects you as the new occupant.

If you rent

Renters should read their lease and talk to the landlord before changing or rekeying any lock. Many leases address lock changes and whether the landlord needs a key, and the rules can vary by state and locality. A landlord may prefer to arrange the work or approve it in writing first.

If you live in a condo or HOA community

Your own unit door is usually your responsibility, but building entrances, shared gates, mail areas, and amenity doors typically belong to the association. Check with the management company before changing anything outside your unit.

Step 7: Make a key plan

Once the locks are sorted:

• Decide how many keys you need and who should have one
• Keep a spare somewhere you control, rather than under a mat or planter
• Write down who holds each copy
• Consider a smart lock if you'd like to share and remove access with codes instead of copies

It also helps to save the contact details of a locksmith you've checked out ahead of time. Consumer advice from the Federal Trade Commission has long recommended doing that research before you're in a hurry, the same way you would for a plumber or electrician.

Next step

If you'd like help with rekeying, replacement, or a door that isn't latching right, you can share your list and photos through our contact page. A clear list of doors and lock brands makes the request easier to review. If you're weighing costs, our guide to understanding a locksmith estimate explains what goes into a quote.