New Home Security Setup Guide UK¶

Essential steps to secure a new build or newly purchased home from day one.

Day-One Priorities for Your New Home¶

When you move into a new home, you have no idea who still holds keys - 34 % of new homeowners never change the locks, according to a 2023 YouGov survey. Rekey all external doors immediately. A Chubb 3K74 deadlock (£85 - £110) or a Yale Platinum rim cylinder (£45 - £60) fitted by a certified locksmith costs around £70 - £120 labour. Check that windows have functioning restrictors and that the fuse box has RCD protection. Many new builds, especially from Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon, use basic builders' ironmongery that should be upgraded.

Building a Complete Security Layer¶

Install a Grade 2 alarm system (Yale Sync, £149.99) and register the property with your local Neighbourhood Watch. Add video doorbells - Ring Pro 2 (£179.99) or Hive Video Doorbell (£119.99). Mark your postcode on valuables with a UV pen (£4.99) and register them on the Immobilise national database. The Home Office reports that marked property is 40 % easier to return. Inform your home insurer (e.g., Aviva, Admiral) of all security upgrades to claim premium discounts of 5 - 15 %.

Specifications and Comparison¶

Task	Urgency	Typical Cost
Change all lock cylinders	Immediate	£45 - £120 per door
Fit alarm system	Day one	£100 - £300
Video doorbell	Week one	£120 - £180
UV property marking	Week one	£5 - £10

FAQ¶

Do new builds come with adequate locks?: Usually basic: most use economy cylinders that should be upgraded immediately.
Should I change the locks if I have keys from the seller?: Yes - you have no guarantee copies were not made. Rekey every exterior door.
What alarm system works best for a new home?: Yale Sync (Grade 2) is affordable and integrates with smart home apps. For more information see our Burglary Prevention Tips for UK Homes.

Last updated: 2026-05-31.

External Resources¶

For further information consult authority guidelines at the UK Government Building Regulations.