New Home in Markham? Lock Steps After You Move In
When you move into a new house, townhome or condo in Markham, you have no way of knowing how many keys to it are still out there. Previous owners, tenants, builders, real estate agents and contractors may all have had copies. The first lock step in a new home is usually to rekey or change the locks, then check every door that leads inside. GTA Lockman Mobile Locksmith Services is based in Markham, and this is one of the most common jobs we do for new owners in the area.
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Rekey or change the locks
If the existing locks work well and you like how they look, rekeying is usually enough. A locksmith changes the pins inside each lock so the old keys stop working, and you can have every door work with one key. Read our page on rekeying house locks after moving.
If a lock is worn, sticks or is a low-grade model, replacing it makes more sense. New homes in Markham subdivisions often come with basic builder-grade hardware, which works but can be upgraded. Our lock change page explains the options.
Do not forget the other doors
Many new owners rekey the front door and forget the rest. Check the side door, the back door, the basement entrance and the door from the garage into the house.
The garage-to-house door is often the weakest one, because it may only have a knob lock. Adding a deadbolt there is a simple improvement. See our garage-to-house door lock page.
From our jobs
Real photos from GTA Lockman Mobile Locksmith Services visits.
Lever on the door between the house and garage
Deadbolt and latch on a door edge
Parts of a deadbolt taken apart for repair
Check sliding and patio doors
Sliding doors to a deck or balcony should latch every time without being lifted or pushed. If the latch is loose or the door rattles in its track, it can usually be repaired. See our sliding glass door repair page.
Consider a smart lock
If you plan to give access to family, cleaners or trades, a keypad or smart lock lets you add and remove codes without cutting keys. It is easiest to fit one at the same time as rekeying the other doors, so every lock matches.
What a rekey visit looks like
A locksmith comes to your home, checks each lock, and confirms the price with you before starting. Each lock is taken apart, the pins are changed to match a new key, and the lock is put back and tested. You get new keys on the spot, and any old keys stop working.
It is also a good time to point out anything that bothers you, such as a deadbolt that has to be pushed to lock, a loose handle or a sliding door that does not latch. These can often be adjusted on the same visit, which saves a second trip.
Townhomes and condos
In a townhome or condo, the unit door is usually yours to rekey or change, while building entrances, fobs and common doors are handled by the property manager or condo board. Ask the manager how many fobs and building keys came with your unit, and request replacements or deactivation for any that are missing.
Some condo corporations have rules about the type or look of the hardware on unit doors that face a hallway. Check before replacing a lock with a different style, and rekey instead if you want to keep the existing hardware.
Basement units and rental suites
If your new home has a basement apartment or a separate entrance for a rental unit, treat that entrance as its own door. Rekey it to a different key from the main house if a tenant will live there, so each household only has access to its own space. The door between the basement unit and the main house should lock from both sides where the layout needs it.
Keep a record of which keys open which doors. When a tenant moves out later, you only need to rekey the rental entrance, not the whole house.
Keep a simple key record
Once the locks are done, write down how many keys you have and who holds them. It makes the next decision easy if a key goes missing or a tenant moves out.
Lock help in Markham
GTA Lockman Mobile Locksmith Services is based in Markham, ON L3T 5K2, and comes to homes across Markham, Unionville, Thornhill and the rest of York Region and the GTA. We are licensed and insured, and quotes are free. Visit our Markham locksmith page or check typical costs on our 2026 price list.
Questions
Yes, or rekey them. You cannot know who still has keys, and rekeying makes all old keys stop working.
Usually. Rekeying keeps your existing locks and changes the pins inside. Replacing makes sense when a lock is worn, broken or you want a higher-security or smart lock.
In most cases, yes, if the locks share the same keyway. A locksmith can rekey them to one key on the same visit.
Yes. We are based in Markham and come to homes across Markham, Unionville and the surrounding area.