When you change the locks on a new home, the cylinders in the outside doors are replaced so that every key handed out before you moved in stops working; it is the only way to know exactly who can open your door.
The boxes are in, the keys are in your hand and the previous owner or tenant has moved on. What you do not know is how many copies of those keys exist. Estate agents, cleaners, a former partner, a neighbour who watered the plants, the contractor who renovated the kitchen: in an Amsterdam home that has changed hands a few times, the number can be surprising.
Whether to change locks in a new home is therefore less a question of trust than of arithmetic.
Who may still have a key
- Previous owners or tenants and their family members.
- Estate agents and viewing agencies that held a key during the sale or letting.
- Cleaners, contractors, painters and anyone who worked in the house while it was empty.
- Neighbours who held a spare for emergencies.
- Short stay guests, if the home was ever let for short periods.
None of these people need to be dishonest. A key in a drawer somewhere, labelled with your address, is enough of a risk.
What changing the locks actually means
In most Amsterdam homes it does not mean new locks. The lock case in the door stays; only the cylinder is replaced and you receive a fresh set of keys. That takes one visit and leaves the door and the fittings as they are.
If the door has a multipoint lock or a shared entrance, the same applies: the cylinder is the part that holds the key, and that is what changes. Our lock replacement service does this on the day you move in if you want.
Buying versus renting
If you have bought the home, the decision is yours. If you rent, the cylinder usually belongs to the landlord and you need their agreement before replacing it, and they will expect a key to the new cylinder. Most landlords in Amsterdam have no objection when a tenant pays for the change and hands over a key. Ask before you call us, so the visit can go ahead without discussion afterwards.
The moment to upgrade
Replacing a cylinder is also the best moment to improve the door. If the current cylinder sticks out of the fitting, has no SKG stars or no anti snap protection, the new one can fix all three at once. Our technician looks at the cylinder, the fitting and the letterbox and tells you what the door needs. The lock security page shows the options.
One visit, every outside door
Front door, back door, basement door, shed and the door to a shared storage area: we replace them together. If you want one key for all of them, ask about cylinders that work on the same key when you call. You hear the price for the whole job on the phone and we confirm it before we start.
Frequently asked questions
Should I change the locks when I move into a new home in Amsterdam?
Yes. It is the only way to be sure that keys handed out before you moved in no longer work.
Do I need to replace the whole lock?
No. In most cases only the cylinder is replaced and the lock case and fittings stay in the door.
Can I change the locks on a rental apartment?
Usually yes, with the landlord’s agreement and a key for them. Check your contract and ask before you book.
Can all my doors work on one key?
Ask when you call. Cylinders that share one key are a common option, so one key opens the front door, back door and shed.
How quickly can Locksmith Amsterdam do this?
Usually on the day you ask, including evenings and weekends. Call +31 (0)20 210 1986 and you hear the price before we start.
Just moved to Amsterdam? Call Locksmith Amsterdam on +31 (0)20 210 1986. We replace the cylinders on every outside door in one visit, with the price confirmed before we start.
