7 Things Previous Owners Might Still Have Access To In Your New Home

You've got the keys, signed the paperwork, and the house is finally yours. But here's an uncomfortable truth that most estate agents won't mention: the keys in your hand are almost certainly not the only copies that exist.

Before you settle in, it's worth thinking about who else might still have access to your new home—and what you can do about it.

1. The Previous Owners' Spare Keys

Most homeowners keep at least one spare key. Many keep several—one in a drawer, one with a neighbour, one hidden under a plant pot. When they hand over "all the keys" at completion, they're handing over the ones they can find.

The reality: Unless someone physically changes the locks, those spare keys still work.

2. Family Members and Friends

Over years of living somewhere, it's common to give keys to family members, partners, or close friends. These informal arrangements often continue long after they're needed—and are easily forgotten when moving.

The reality: People the previous owners trusted may still have working keys to your home.

3. Tradespeople and Service Providers

Cleaners, dog walkers, gardeners, window cleaners, and regular maintenance workers often hold keys to properties they service. When clients move, not everyone remembers to collect these keys back.

The reality: Your address may still be on someone's keyring alongside several other properties.

4. Previous Tenants

If the property was ever rented out—even years ago—there could be multiple generations of key copies in circulation. Each tenant may have made their own spares.

The reality: The lock on your door might be the same one that dozens of people have had keys to.

5. Neighbours With Emergency Access

It's neighbourly to exchange keys in case of emergencies. But when someone moves away, that key often stays in the neighbour's kitchen drawer indefinitely.

The reality: Your neighbours may have keys to your home that they've forgotten about.

6. Estate Agents and Property Managers

If the property was listed for sale, estate agents held keys for viewings. If it was managed by a letting agent, they had keys too. These should be returned, but policies vary.

The reality: There's no guarantee that all professional key holders have returned their copies.

7. Hidden Keys Around the Property

Under doormats, inside fake rocks, on top of door frames, inside meter boxes, hanging on hooks in sheds—hidden keys are everywhere. Previous owners often forget they're there.

The reality: Your property may have keys hidden in obvious places that anyone could find.

What Can You Actually Do?

The only way to guarantee that you control all access to your new home is to change the locks. Not because anyone is likely to break in—but because certainty has real value.

Modern anti-snap cylinders offer better protection than older locks anyway, so changing locks often means upgrading security at the same time.

A Simple Checklist for New Homeowners:

• ✓ Change front and back door locks within the first week
• ✓ Check garage and shed locks—these are often forgotten
• ✓ Look for hidden keys around the property
• ✓ Update alarm codes if there's a security system
• ✓ Change WiFi passwords (some smart devices remember old networks)
• ✓ Check window locks work properly

It takes less than an hour to secure a typical home, and the peace of mind lasts as long as you live there.

When's the Best Time?

Ideally, before you move your belongings in. The day you get the keys—while the house is empty—is the perfect opportunity. Everything is accessible, and you won't need to work around furniture or daily life.

If you're buying a home in Chester, Wrexham, Shrewsbury, or the surrounding areas, we can often arrange same-day or next-day appointments around your completion date.

Got questions about securing your new home? Give us a call—we're happy to advise, with no obligation.