Moving Into a New Home in London? Here’s What to Do About Security First

There’s a very specific kind of exhaustion that comes with moving house. You’ve lived on takeaways for a week, you can’t find the kettle, and someone has definitely packed the toilet roll in a box labelled “miscellaneous.” The last thing on your mind is home security. And yet, it really should be one of the first.

We moved into our current home in South East London a few years ago now, and I’ll be honest, changing the locks wasn’t even on my radar until a friend pointed out that we had absolutely no idea how many copies of the old keys were floating around out there. Previous owners, estate agents, builders, neighbours with a spare “just in case.” It’s a slightly uncomfortable thought, especially when you’ve got kids in the house and you’re trying to feel settled somewhere new.

So if you’re in the middle of a move, or about to be, here’s a practical checklist of what’s actually worth doing before you get too comfortable unpacking.

Change the locks. Yes, really. Do it first.

This is the big one. No matter how much you liked the people you bought from, or how smoothly the sale went, you simply don’t know how many copies of your keys exist. It’s not about trust. It’s just common sense.

This applies to every external door, including any side gates or garage access points. If there’s a keyed window lock and you haven’t got the keys for it, that’s worth sorting too. While you’re at it, check the condition of the locks themselves. A lot of older London properties have locks that are technically functional but well past their best, and a locksmith will be able to tell you straight away whether what you’ve got is actually up to scratch.

For anyone in the Chelsea and surrounding areas, a professional locksmith Chelsea can usually get this done quickly and affordably, and it’s money very well spent in those first few days.

Get a proper assessment of what you’ve actually got

Older London properties in particular can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to security. You might have a solid five-lever mortice lock on the front door and a completely inadequate lock on the back. Some houses have had multiple owners over decades and ended up with a patchwork of different lock types and security measures that nobody has properly reviewed in years.

It’s worth asking a locksmith to take a quick look when they come to rekey or change your locks. They can flag anything that doesn’t meet insurance standards (most home insurers require a five-lever mortice lock to BS3621 on external doors), and point out anything that looks like a weak point. Getting this done properly at the start could also save you a headache if you ever need to make a claim, as insurers can and do ask about the type of locks you have.

Know who to call if something goes wrong

Emergencies don’t happen at convenient times. You lock yourself out on a school night, or something fails overnight, and suddenly you’re frantically googling on your phone in the rain. It’s worth saving a number before you need it rather than searching in a panic and ending up with someone unreliable or wildly overpriced.

If you’re anywhere in South East London, locksmith South East London operates 24 hours and covers all SE postcodes, which is genuinely useful to know when it’s 11pm and someone’s left their keys inside. Having a trusted number already saved means you’re not making decisions under pressure.

Check your window locks

This one gets overlooked a lot. People focus on the front door and forget that ground floor windows, or easily-reached first floor ones, are just as important. Check that every window has a functioning lock and that you have keys for all of them. If anything is missing or broken, a locksmith can sort replacements quickly. It’s also worth checking any accessible skylights or roof windows while you’re at it.

Think about your smart home setup, if you have one

If the previous owners had a smart doorbell, alarm, or smart lock system, make sure everything is fully reset and linked to your accounts only. Most systems have a factory reset option, but if you’re not sure, it’s worth contacting the manufacturer directly. You really don’t want someone else still having access to your Ring camera footage or alarm codes without your knowledge.

If you’re setting up new smart security from scratch, it’s worth doing a bit of research before you buy. Some systems are far easier to manage than others, and if you’ve got kids who’ll need their own access codes or key fobs, simplicity genuinely matters.

Talk to your neighbours

This one’s less about locks and more about community, but it’s just as important. Introducing yourself to the people on either side and letting them know you’ve just moved in is genuinely useful. Neighbours who know your face are far more likely to notice if something seems off, and far more likely to mention it to you if they do.

In London it can feel a bit awkward to knock on a stranger’s door, but in my experience most people are quite pleased to meet a new neighbour. A small gesture like introducing yourself goes a long way, and it also means you’ve got someone to call if something happens when you’re away.

Set up your alarm, if you have one

If your new home has an alarm system, make sure you’ve changed the codes and that you understand how it works before you actually need it. This sounds obvious but it’s surprisingly easy to put off when you’re in the middle of unpacking. If you’re not sure whether the system is in good working order, a security specialist can test it for you and let you know if anything needs updating. An alarm that gives a false sense of security is arguably worse than no alarm at all.

Consider outdoor lighting

It’s one of the simplest and most effective deterrents going. A well-lit front of house, particularly with motion-activated lighting, makes your property a much less appealing prospect. If your new home doesn’t have any, it’s a relatively inexpensive addition and something you can sort yourself if you’re handy, or have fitted easily if not.

A quick checklist before you unpack the good stuff

It sounds a bit over the top, but genuinely, sort the basics before you start moving valuables in. Here’s what I’d prioritise:

• Change all external door locks
• Check and replace window locks where needed
• Get a locksmith to assess the overall security
• Save an emergency locksmith number in your phone
• Reset any smart home devices linked to the property
• Change alarm codes
• Check and test outdoor lighting
• Introduce yourself to immediate neighbours

Moving is chaotic and there’s always something else to deal with. But spending a few hours on security in the first week means you can actually relax once you’re in, and that’s the whole point isn’t it. You want to feel at home, and feeling safe is a big part of that.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.