The first evening in a new rental should not involve wondering who else still has a key. Before the boxes fill the hallway and daily life takes over, take a close look at the doors, windows, locks, and access arrangements. Knowing how to secure a new rental is less about turning it into a fortress and more about making sure the basics are sound from day one.

For tenants, the key is to raise concerns early, keep a written record, and get approval before changing anything. For landlords, a proper security check between tenancies protects the property, reassures incoming renters, and can prevent avoidable callouts later.

How to Secure a New Rental: Start Before You Unpack

Security is easiest to deal with when the property is empty and you can see every door and window clearly. If possible, do your check during the move-in inspection or immediately after collecting the keys. Take photos of anything that looks worn, damaged, loose, or unreliable, then send concerns to the landlord or property manager in writing.

Do not assume a lock is fine simply because it turns. A lock may work while still being loose, poorly fitted, difficult to operate, or paired with a door that does not close properly. Those small faults often become bigger problems after a few weeks of use.

Pay particular attention to the main entrance. This is the door used most often, and it needs to latch and lock without being lifted, pushed, pulled, or forced into position. If you have to shoulder the door shut or wiggle the key repeatedly, report it. The issue may be the lock, but it could also be the hinges, keeps, door alignment, or a worn multipoint mechanism.

Check Who Has Access

A new tenancy does not always mean new keys. Previous tenants may have returned every key they were issued, but there is no practical way to know whether copies were made. Contractors, cleaners, neighbors, family members, or former occupants may also have had access at some point.

Ask the landlord or manager whether the locks were changed or rekeyed between tenancies and how many keys are currently in circulation. A clear answer is reassuring. If the answer is uncertain, request a lock change or rekey, subject to the terms of your lease and local rules.

Tenants should never change locks without checking their agreement first. Some leases allow it with notice, while others require the landlord’s written permission or a copy of the replacement key. Landlords also need to balance security with lawful access requirements. The practical answer is usually simple: agree in writing who will arrange the work, who pays, and who holds keys afterward.

If there is a communal entrance, mailbox, storage room, garage, or side gate, ask about those keys too. Securing only the front door is not much help if a shared rear access point is routinely left open.

Keep keys under control from the start

Once keys have been handed over, treat them as part of the move-in inventory. Count them, label only what is necessary, and avoid leaving a spare under a mat, plant pot, or loose paving stone. Those hiding places are well known.

A trusted nearby person may be a sensible choice for a spare key, particularly if you live alone or have children. If that is not an option, a properly fitted key safe can help, but only with the landlord’s approval and a strong code that is not shared widely. Never put your address on a key tag. If it is lost, a finder should not be able to identify the door it opens.

Inspect Every Door, Not Just the Front One

A rental property can have several weak points: a back door, patio door, garage-to-house door, basement entrance, or a side gate that leads straight to the rear of the building. Walk around the property in daylight and test each one.

Look for these common issues:

• A door that does not latch firmly or moves in its frame when locked.
• Loose handles, damaged hinges, cracked frames, or exposed screws.
• A key that sticks, spins, or needs force to turn.
• A patio or sliding door without a working lock or secondary stopper.
• A shared or exterior door that fails to close and latch behind you.

On uPVC and composite doors, the handle and locking mechanism often work together. If the handle will not lift smoothly, the key will not turn properly, or the door only locks when pulled hard, do not keep forcing it. A minor alignment issue can develop into a full lockout or a failed mechanism. Getting it checked early is generally less disruptive than discovering the problem late at night with your shopping on the doorstep.

For landlords, this is also where a professional inspection can save money. Replacing a worn part or adjusting a door before a tenant moves in is often more cost-effective than handling an emergency repair after the lock has failed.

Do Not Forget Windows and Patio Doors

Ground-floor windows, accessible upper windows, and patio doors deserve the same attention as the main entrance. Check that window locks operate, keys are available where applicable, and frames close securely. A window that looks closed but does not fully engage can be an easy point of entry.

There is a trade-off with window keys. Keeping them nearby helps in an emergency, but leaving them visibly in the lock can make access easier from outside if glass is broken. Store them somewhere close and known to everyone in the home, but not in plain sight.

If a window restrictor is fitted, make sure it still allows safe escape in an emergency where required. Do not add bars, fixed security devices, or anything else that could prevent occupants from getting out without first checking safety requirements and obtaining permission. Home security should never compromise fire safety.

Make Simple Changes That Actually Help

Not every rental needs expensive upgrades. Good routines and a few approved improvements often make the biggest difference. Keep curtains or blinds closed when the property is empty, especially if moving boxes, electronics, or tools are visible. Do not leave doors unlocked while carrying items in and out. It only takes a minute for someone to walk through an open side entrance unnoticed.

If the property has exterior lighting, test it. A failed bulb at the rear entrance is a straightforward repair request. Motion-activated lighting can be useful around a driveway, side passage, or back door, although tenants should ask before fitting anything permanent.

A door viewer, door chain, or video doorbell may be appropriate in some rentals, but approval matters. Wireless devices are often easier because they do not require drilling or changes to the building. Think about privacy too, particularly in shared housing or apartments with communal hallways.

For a house with an alarm, ask for a proper handover. You need the code, instructions, current contact details, and clarity on whether the system is monitored. An alarm that nobody knows how to set is not a security measure. It is a noisy wall decoration.

Document Problems and Follow Up

When something is wrong, vague messages can delay a fix. Be specific: explain which door or window is affected, what happens when you use it, and whether the issue stops the property from locking securely. Include photos or a short video if helpful.

If the front door cannot be secured, a key has been lost with identifying information, or there has been a break-in, treat it as urgent. Contact the landlord or manager according to the emergency process in your lease. If you need immediate help with a faulty lock, lockout, or damaged door mechanism, use a genuine local locksmith rather than a national-looking ad that sends your call elsewhere. A local tradesperson can assess the problem on site and explain whether repair, adjustment, rekeying, or replacement is the sensible option.

GHI Locksmiths regularly helps tenants and landlords with lock changes, damaged locks, and door alignment issues across the local area, with straightforward advice on what needs doing and what does not.

A Safer Start Makes the Rental Feel Like Home

A secure rental is not defined by the number of gadgets on the wall. It comes down to controlled keys, doors and windows that lock properly, and a clear plan for reporting faults. Take the time to check those details before your first night, and you can settle in knowing the place is properly yours to come home to.