Keep your new home yours

As the clocks spring forward, the onset of lighter evenings signals the time of year when many of us think about moving home.

Whether you’re buying, selling, or both, there’s a lot to think about, and security can sometimes become an after-thought in the rush. So, the security specialists at Yale have put together some key advice for anyone thinking of moving home this spring…

Moving out

If you’re moving out, you want to leave the house as organised as possible for the next residents.

Obviously, you’ll deal with keys through the estate agent, but make sure you get every last set; that one you left with the neighbour last time you went away, or the one you gave to a friend in case you ever found yourself locked out… You don’t want the responsibility of knowing you’ve still got the keys to what is now someone else’s house!

This is where the growing trend for smart locks can come into its own – a new owner can simply reprogram the electronic lock to ensure their security, instead of going through the hassle of replacing the locks. Many people are yet to invest in this convenient technology, but it’s worth bearing in mind if the option’s there.

You should also ensure you’ve left the instructions manuals for any other electronic security products, such as house alarms, so that the new owner can easily reprogram those. It’s also a good idea to leave any product guarantees, such as a ten-year guarantee for an alarm, so that the new owners can make the most of products that are still in perfectly good working order.

Moving in

 

Make sure you mind your security while you’re shifting boxes in – it only takes a minute for an opportunistic thief to slip in and out with some of your treasures.

According to a recent survey, 74 percent of homeowners do not change the locks after moving home, which is a worrying statistic, especially as many home insurance policies will not pay out if an intruder lets themself in with a key.

With this in mind, once you’re in your new pad the most important thing to do is change the locks. Just as you might have forgotten about a spare key you’d left with someone else, so could the previous resident. If you don’t know who has keys to your house, change the cylinders in all external doors to ensure your peace of mind.

Once you’ve got the basics covered, consider upgrades such as installing a DIY home alarm, an easy-to-install CCTV system, or a digital door viewer to boost your home security. Basic security measures such as door chains and spy holes on timber front doors and padlocks on gates, sheds and outbuildings are also highly recommended.

It’s yours. Protect it. Yale it.