The first night in a new house can feel settled long before the security is actually under control. You may have the keys from closing, but former owners, tenants, contractors, cleaners, neighbors, or relatives may still have copies. This new homeowner security checklist focuses on the practical work that protects your access points first, then helps you make smart upgrades without replacing hardware that is still doing its job.

Start With the Locks and Keys

Changing your mailing address, setting up utilities, and unpacking can wait a day. Controlling who can enter your home should not. Begin by gathering every key you received at closing, including keys for exterior doors, garage doors, sheds, gates, mailboxes, and any interior lock that protects a home office, storage area, or safe.

The most effective first move is usually to rekey the exterior locks. Rekeying changes the internal pins in a lock cylinder so old keys no longer work. It is often less expensive than replacing good-quality lock hardware, and it lets you start fresh with a new key. If the front, back, side, and garage entry doors use compatible hardware, a locksmith may also be able to key them alike for simpler everyday access.

Replacement makes more sense when a lock is damaged, badly worn, loose, difficult to turn, or not rated for the level of protection the door needs. A bargain deadbolt on a solid front door is not always a weak point, but it deserves a closer look. So does a high-quality deadbolt installed on a weak door frame. Security comes from the whole assembly, not just the lock on the outside.

As you work through the house, make a short record of which doors have been rekeyed and where each key works. That prevents the common move-in problem of carrying a crowded key ring and not knowing which key belongs to what.

Inspect Every Exterior Entry Door

A deadbolt only helps when the door, strike plate, hinges, and frame can support it. Open and close each exterior door several times. It should latch without lifting, pushing, or pulling on the door. If you have to force the lock to turn, the issue may be alignment, a loose strike plate, a warped door, or a failing lock.

Pay close attention to the deadbolt strike plate on the frame. Short screws that only bite into trim offer limited resistance. Properly installed long screws can reach the structural framing behind the jamb, helping the strike plate hold under force. A loose or bent strike plate should be repaired before it becomes an emergency lockout or a security failure.

Check the hinges as well. Exterior doors that swing outward need non-removable hinge pins or security hinges. Otherwise, exposed hinge pins can create a vulnerability even if the deadbolt is strong. On doors with glass panels near the lock, consider whether a person could break the glass and reach the thumb turn. The right solution depends on local code, fire safety needs, and the door design. Do not add a double-cylinder deadbolt without considering how people will exit quickly in an emergency.

Do Not Forget Sliding and Secondary Doors

Sliding patio doors, basement doors, doors from the garage into the home, and side entrances often receive less attention than the front door. They should not. A sliding door needs a working lock and a properly fitted secondary security device that limits movement in the track. The door should also be difficult to lift out of its track when locked.

For a door between the garage and the house, use a dependable deadbolt or locking lever where appropriate. An attached garage is not the same as the outdoors, but garage access can become house access quickly if an overhead door is left open or a remote is stolen.

Control Keys, Remotes, and Digital Access

Physical keys are only one part of move-in security. Locate every garage remote, keypad code, smart lock credential, alarm code, and gate opener associated with the property. Reset codes rather than assuming the previous owner removed their access. If a garage remote is missing, clear the opener’s stored remotes and program only the ones you have.

For smart locks and video doorbells, create your own administrator account. Remove prior users, change the Wi-Fi password if necessary, turn on multi-factor authentication, and install software updates. A smart lock can be convenient, especially for families that need temporary access for dog walkers or housekeepers. It also creates another system to manage. Keep a mechanical backup plan for battery failure, phone loss, or an app outage.

Be selective about spare keys. A key under a mat, flowerpot, or fake rock is predictable. A better option is giving a spare to a trusted nearby person, using a well-secured lockbox for a specific short-term need, or choosing keyless access that allows temporary codes. If you do issue spare keys, keep a simple count. When a key is not returned after a contractor, pet sitter, roommate, or tenant arrangement ends, rekeying is the cleanest fix.

Use This New Homeowner Security Checklist Room by Room

Walk the property once in daylight and once after dark. The goal is to find weak access points before someone else does. Use this checklist as you go:

  • Rekey or replace locks on every exterior door, including doors from an attached garage.
  • Test deadbolts, latches, strike plates, hinges, door frames, sliding doors, gates, sheds, and mailbox locks.
  • Reset garage remotes, keypad codes, smart lock accounts, alarm codes, and Wi-Fi credentials.
  • Confirm that every window closes, locks, and cannot be easily opened from the outside.
  • Add or repair exterior lighting at entry doors, walkways, side yards, and dark areas near the garage.
  • Decide where spare keys will be kept and who, if anyone, should have one.

Windows deserve a realistic assessment. Most windows do not need elaborate hardware, but every accessible window should lock properly and show no obvious damage to the frame or latch. Windows in a basement, on a ground floor, or near a porch roof are higher priorities. Do not permanently block windows that may be needed as emergency exits from sleeping areas.

Add Layers That Fit Your Home and Routine

After the essential lock work is complete, consider the upgrades that address your actual risks. Exterior lighting is one of the most useful improvements because it helps you see who is approaching and removes dark areas around doors. Motion-activated lights can work well near side yards and garages, while steady lighting may be better around frequently used entrances.

Cameras and alarm systems can provide awareness, but they are not substitutes for working locks and secure doors. A camera may document an event; a properly secured deadbolt and reinforced strike plate can make entry harder in the first place. For many homeowners, the best order is mechanical security first, lighting second, then electronic monitoring if it fits the budget and comfort level.

A keyless deadbolt can simplify access for a busy household, but choose hardware that matches the door and is installed correctly. Consider battery warnings, code management, weather exposure, and whether everyone in the household can use it reliably. For rental properties or homes with frequent service access, keypad codes may reduce the need to distribute physical keys. For a household that prefers simple, dependable hardware, a quality keyed deadbolt may be the better choice.

Know When to Call a Locksmith

Move-in security work can uncover issues that are easy to miss: locks that were keyed differently, worn cylinders, broken latch bolts, doors that will not align, or deadbolts that cannot extend fully into the frame. These are not cosmetic problems. A lock that binds today can leave you locked out tomorrow.

A mobile locksmith can rekey locks on site, replace damaged deadbolts, repair lock and door hardware issues, and help assess whether a keyless upgrade or latch protector makes sense for your doors. For Denver-area homeowners, Broadway Lock & Key can handle this work at the property, which means you can secure the home without removing locks and making repeated trips to a shop.

The goal is not to turn a new home into a fortress. It is to know who has access, make forced entry more difficult, and ensure that the people living there can get in and out safely. Handle the locks early, correct the weak points you find, and you can settle into your new home with fewer unanswered questions.