Should You Change the Locks After Moving?

Start with the doors, then count the keys

Walk around the property and make a simple list of the exterior doors you are responsible for. Include a side entrance, a rear door or an entry between a garage and the home if present. Record which key opens each door and whether any doors share a key. A move is a useful moment to turn a loose collection of keys into a clear access plan.

A returned set of keys does not establish whether extra copies were made. You do not need to reconstruct every previous handover before discussing new key access. Tell the locksmith what you know and where the history is uncertain.

• Identify every affected exterior door and its existing lock.
• Separate household keys from shared building, mailbox or other managed keys.
• Note any door for which you have no working key.
• Decide who needs a new key and whether anyone should have access to only part of the property.

Choose between a new key and new hardware

Rekeying suitable existing locks changes the key that operates the affected cylinders. The lock hardware can remain in place when it is compatible and in suitable condition. This may fit a move where your main concern is unknown copies of the old key.

Replacement changes the hardware and may be appropriate if a lock is worn, damaged, unsuitable for the door or no longer meets your needs. It is reasonable to reach different decisions for different doors: one may need replacement while another can be rekeyed. Our rekey-or-replace comparison explains the trade-offs without assuming one answer suits every property.

Check condition and confirm what you may change

Notice whether the key turns smoothly, the handle feels secure and the door closes without needing to be lifted or pushed hard. Describe sticking or misalignment rather than assuming a new cylinder will fix it. The door, frame and strike may need assessment alongside the lock.

If you rent, live in a condominium or share an entrance, confirm the proposed work with the person responsible for the property or building. Clarify which locks are yours to arrange work on and whether a shared key system is involved. This guide does not determine anyone’s rights under a tenancy, lease or building agreement.

Prepare a useful request before the visit

Tell Matrix your Toronto area, property type, approximate number of doors and moving schedule. If you can safely take photographs, capture the existing lock from both sides and the edge of the open door, without including people or personal documents. Ask how best to share those images; the quote form does not require an upload.

Explain whether you can currently open every affected door and who will authorize the work. These details help the conversation cover the actual scope. Hardware compatibility and the final work required may still need an on-site assessment.

Finish with a deliberate handover

After the work, review which doors were changed and test the intended keys with the person completing the service. Keep a simple record of new key holders. Store old keys separately until you have confirmed they are no longer needed for any unaffected door.

For a home, start with residential lock change support. Moving into an office or storefront involves a different access plan; see commercial lock changes for business premises. To discuss your own doors, request a lock-change quote.