New fear unlocked: over a tenth of Brits admit to keeping a key from a previous property

Millions of UK homes may be less secure than first thought, as new data reveals that more than 10 per cent of Brits still have a key to their previous property.

According to MyBuilder.com, the reliable way to hire tradespeople, 13 per cent of UK residents still have a key to their previous property. Concerningly, the figures among Brits in the 18-34 age category, at 23 per cent.

The data also reveals that even more Brits also fail to change their locks after moving into a new property, suggesting that millions could be unwittingly compromising their home security. It was also found that 54 per cent of UK residents don’t get their locks changed when they move home, a figure that rises among Brits in the 35-54 and over-55 age categories, at 60 and 56 per cent respectively.

Geographically, Londoners were the least likely to change their locks, with half (50 per cent) admitting to not completing this task after moving home. Residents in Yorkshire and Humberside were closest behind, at 49 per cent. But whatever the region, at least 40 per cent of residents were guilty of not changing their locks.

Failure to change your locks may grant strangers access to your home. Further research suggests that others may still have access, too. According to a 2020 study, a quarter (24 per cent) of Brits give a spare set to their neighbours, 16 per cent trust their friends with spare keys, and 10 per cent even hand a set to a co-worker.

This is despite burglary being an alarming issue in the UK. Police forces up and down the country have already received over 200,000 burglary reports this year and yet, millions of homeowners remain relaxed about locking up their home. According to a 2017 study, 42 per cent of Brits regularly leave their home unlocked, and would only consider locking up if they were away for the night. A 2023 report  also revealed that 22 per cent wouldn’t spend more than £100 on home security, despite the risks.

Andy Simms, from MyBuilder.com, said that it’s vital that Brits make sure to change their locks when they move into a new home.

“I can’t stress enough how important it is to change your locks when you move home. Failure to do so can reduce your home’s security in a number of ways. The general advice is that locks should usually be changed every seven to 10 years, as older or outdated ones are easier to bypass. It’s reported that 70 per cent of burglars will manage to gain access by entering through your front door, and a weaker lock will make the chances of a robbery much easier.

“It is also concerning that 13 per cent of people still have access to their previous property - and it’s not just previous occupants you should watch out for. Previous occupants’ friends, neighbours, co-workers, cleaners, babysitters, or even estate agents may also have a key to your new property.

“Changing your locks may be easy to forget, especially in the middle of other home tasks, but it’s a half-an-hour job that gives your home years of much-needed security. A locksmith will be able to fit your new lock correctly at a relatively low price, and make your new place as safe as possible.”

For information on the cost of changing your locks after moving home, visit: https://www.mybuilder.com/locksmith/price-guides/locksmith-cost