When you move into a resale flat or a condo, you can't know how many keys are out there. Previous owners, their tenants, helpers, agents, and the contractors who renovated your home may all have had one. Changing the locks is the simplest way to make sure only you have access.
Who might still have a key?
- Previous owners and their family, and any tenants or helpers they had.
- Property agents who handled viewings.
- Renovation contractors and their workers, who often have keys or digital lock codes for weeks.
- Neighbours or friends the previous owner trusted with a spare.
When to change them
After your renovation finishes, not before. If you change the locks first, the contractor still needs access, and you'll end up changing them twice. Until then, keep valuables out of the flat.
Which locks to change
- Main door lock: the most important. See HDB main door lock replacement.
- Gate lock on HDB flats. See HDB gate lock replacement.
- Letterbox lock: letters with your details land there. See letterbox lock replacement.
- Digital lock? You may not need a new lock. Factory reset it to delete every old PIN, fingerprint and card, then set a new master PIN and register your own. Your lock's manual explains how, or see our brand guides.
- Room and toilet locks are optional, unless they're keyed locks you'll actually use.
Upgrade at the same time?
Moving in is a natural time to switch to a digital lock, so there are no keys to lose or hand over. If your main door is fire-rated, the digital lock must be SCDF-certified: see digital locks on fire-rated doors. Not sure which type you want? Read main door lock types explained.
What it costs
Main door and gate lock replacement starts from S$100 per lock, and letterbox locks from S$60, including the lock and installation. Every lock comes with our no-expiry warranty, and we confirm the price before we come. WhatsApp 9224 9224 photos of your locks for a quote.
Moving in? WhatsApp photos of your main door, gate and letterbox locks to 9224 9224 for one quote for all three.