Lost your house keys? Do you need new locks?

Losing your keys is frustrating at best. At worst, it means someone could have the keys to your home. Whether you need to change the locks depends on what was lost and where. Here’s how to decide, and what to do next.

First, retrace your steps

Before you do anything drastic:

• check bags, coat pockets, the car and the usual places
• call places you’ve been: shops, work, the gym, cafés
• check with lost property. Bus companies, rail stations and supermarkets often keep it
• report it to Police Scotland lost property if you think keys were handed in

Locked out right now?

If you can’t get in, read locked out of your house?. A locksmith can let you in and, if needed, change the locks in the same visit, so you aren’t left worrying about the lost set.

Do you need to change the locks?

Ask yourself one question: could whoever has the keys know where you live?

Change the locks if:

• your keys were stolen, especially with a bag or wallet
• they were lost with anything showing your address: driving licence, letters, a key fob with your house name, or a tag with your address
• they were lost near your home
• your car was stolen with the house keys in it
• you’re not sure, and peace of mind matters to you

You may not need to if:

• you lost a single key far from home, with nothing to identify you or your address
• you’re confident it fell somewhere it can’t be retrieved, such as into the sea at Burghead harbour

Even then, many people change the cylinders anyway, because it’s usually quick and inexpensive on uPVC and composite doors.

Insurance

Many home insurance policies don’t cover theft where there is no sign of forced entry. If someone uses your lost key, you could be left without cover. Some policies include lost key cover, which may pay for new locks. Check your policy before booking the work, and keep receipts.

What does changing the locks involve?

Usually less than people expect:

• uPVC and composite doors. Replace the euro cylinder. It’s a quick job, and a good chance to upgrade to anti-snap. See anti-snap euro cylinders.
• Nightlatches. Replace the cylinder.
• Mortice locks. Replace the lock, or sometimes change the levers so the old key no longer works.
• Garage, shed and gate padlocks. Don’t forget these if their keys were on the same ring.

Don’t forget the other locks on the ring

House keys are rarely lost alone. Before you book the work, list everything on the missing key ring: back door, garage, shed, padlocks, window keys, a relative’s house, a work key or a post box. Each one is either a lock to change or a person to tell. It’s much easier to deal with them all in one locksmith visit than to remember the shed padlock three months later.

If you rent

Tell your landlord or letting agent straight away. Most tenancy agreements say you shouldn’t change locks without permission, and the landlord will need a new key. You’ll usually be expected to pay for lost-key lock changes. Read lock changes for landlords and tenants in Scotland.

Lost work or commercial keys

Tell your employer immediately. In a master key system, a lost user key may mean re-keying just one cylinder, but a lost master key is more serious. Read master key systems.

Lost car keys

Car keys with transponders and remotes are more complex and expensive to replace. Have your vehicle details and proof of ownership, such as the V5C, ready. See car keys and auto locksmith.

Lost keys and children

Children, teenagers and students lose keys more often than anyone. A few ideas:

• give younger children a key on a lanyard kept inside a zipped pocket, not on show
• consider a keypad lock on a back or side door, so a lost key doesn’t mean a lock change
• keep a spare with a neighbour for when they get home before you

Getting spare keys cut

Once your locks are sorted:

• get at least one spare cut, and keep it with a trusted person
• cut copies from an original key, not a copy of a copy, which gets less accurate each time
• with high-security cylinders, copies are made through authorised channels, which is part of their security

See key cutting.

How to avoid losing keys

• Keep keys in the same place every time: a hook or bowl by the door, away from the letterbox.
• Use a bright key ring or a small Bluetooth tracker.
• Never label keys with your name or address. Use a phone number or a reward tag if you like.
• Keep a spare with a neighbour, or in a properly rated key safe. See key safes.
• Carry fewer keys. A keyed-alike system means one key for several doors.

Key points

If your lost or stolen keys could be linked to your address, change the locks. It’s usually a quick cylinder change and well worth the peace of mind. If you rent, tell your landlord first. In Moray, Moray Locksmith can change your locks and cut new keys.

This guide is general information for homes in Scotland. It is not legal or insurance advice. Always check your own policy, tenancy agreement and official guidance.