Good to know / LockReach Cornelius

The keys are yours. Are all the ways in accounted for?

A handover can leave you with a handful of keys and very little explanation. You don't have to replace every fitting at once. Start by listing the access you received and the doors you actually use.

Bronze deadbolt and lever on a white residential entry door

Moving in: keys and garage access

A few useful distinctions before you decide what work to request.

Make one short list.

Include the front door, side entrance, garage-to-house door and any separate building. Write down which key opens each one. Add remotes, keypad codes and smart-lock accounts as separate items rather than treating them as spare keys.

Choose the mechanical work.

If the locks operate well but the old copies are uncertain, rekeying suitable cylinders may fit. If a bolt catches or a handle is loose, ask about repair too. Changing the key combination doesn't correct an awkward door.

Review electronic access separately.

Ask how old remotes, keypad codes or account access are removed for the equipment you have. Follow the manufacturer's process or get the appropriate help. Make sure the household retains working access before handing out new codes.

Test the doors the way you use them.

Try the inside turn, outside key and normal closing action. Keep a spare somewhere that won't disappear with the everyday key. If you rent, involve the owner or manager before changing hardware or shared access.