Have You Recently Moved Home?

If you’ve just moved into a new home or taken over a property in Winchester, it’s a good time to ask yourself an important question: Do you know how many keys to your home are still out there?

When people move, key security is often overlooked. But it’s one of the simplest steps you can take to protect your new home and your peace of mind.

Are Your Locks Up to Standard?

Start by checking what kind of locks you’ve inherited. If you have a wooden front door, look for a British Standard Kite Mark on the metal plate of the lock. This symbol usually appears alongside a code—BS3621 for mortice locks. That code means the lock meets a nationally recognised security standard.

Beneath the Kite Mark, you’ll often see a year of revision—with 2007 being the most recent standard for BS3621 locks. If your lock shows an earlier date or no date at all, it might be time to upgrade.

What Does Your Insurance Policy Require?

Most home insurance providers expect you to fit British Standard locks on external doors. Some older policies might have only required five-lever locks. But many newer ones now go further, specifying the exact British Standard and the revision year.

If you’ve renewed your insurance without reviewing the fine print, double-check it now. Requirements may have changed, even if your provider hasn’t. Having the right locks in place could be the difference between a successful claim and a rejected one.

Should You Replace or Rework the Lock?

If your current lock meets your policy’s requirements, you may not need to replace it entirely—especially if it’s still in good working order. A qualified locksmith can often recode the internal levers, making any old keys useless. It’s a clever, cost-effective way to secure your home without replacing the whole lock.

In some cases, the locksmith can even reposition the existing levers and cut a new set of keys to match. This achieves the same result: only your keys will work from now on. However, if the lock shows signs of wear or damage, replacement might be the safer choice.

Helpful Info to Share With Your Locksmith

Before you call a locksmith, try to gather a few basic details about your lock. This will help us offer the right advice from the start. Ask yourself:

• Is it a sashlock (a lock with a latch and handle)?

• A deadlock (no latch or handle, just a keyhole)?

• A uPVC door lock with multiple locking points?

• A nightlatch (often referred to as a Yale lock)?

And here’s a common misconception: not all mortice locks are Chubb, and not all nightlatches are Yale. In fact, Chubb hasn’t made locks for years. Most products once branded as Chubb are now made by Union (or Assa Abloy), and some older Chubb window locks are now part of the Yale range.

It’s rarely straightforward—but that’s what we’re here for.

Local Help When You Need It

If you’ve recently moved and you’re unsure about your locks, we’re happy to help. At Locksmith Winchester, we’ve assisted countless new homeowners in securing their properties properly from day one. We’ll explain your options clearly and help you find a practical solution—whether that’s replacing a lock or simply reworking the one you’ve got.

Give us a call on 01962 690072
www.locksmithwinchester.co.uk

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