Your Security Checklist for Moving into a New Home

Exchanging on a new house is exciting, and security is usually the last thing on anyone's mind once the boxes start piling up. At Incognito Systems, we speak to plenty of new homeowners who only think about their alarm once something's already gone missing, so here's what's worth sorting before moving day even arrives.

Change the Locks First
You have no idea how many keys are floating around from a previous owner or old tenants. Changing the locks is the cheapest, fastest security upgrade available, and it should happen before you move a single box in.

Check What's Already Installed
Some houses come with an old alarm system or a CCTV camera left behind by the previous owner. Before relying on it, get it checked over properly, since an outdated or poorly maintained system can give a false sense of security without actually doing anything.

Think About Coverage Before Furniture Goes In
An empty house is the easiest time to plan camera positions and sensor placement, since you can see every access point clearly without a sofa in the way. If you're considering CCTV or a burglar alarm, this stage is genuinely the best time to get it planned properly.

Don't Forget the Garden and Outbuildings
Sheds, side gates and driveways are often an afterthought, but they're exactly where opportunistic break ins tend to start. A home security system that only covers the front door misses the areas that actually need watching.

Register The Property Properly
Update your address with the Land Registry and any alarm monitoring provider on record, so a false alert doesn't get sent to the previous owner and you're not left without cover during the handover.

None of this needs doing on day one but sorting it in the first few weeks means you're not scrambling to fix a gap after something's already happened.

Settling into a new home is stressful enough without security being an afterthought. Incognito Systems installs tailored home security systems for new homeowners across Northamptonshire. Call 01536 680988 or email [email protected],  or visit our contact page to arrange a free assessment before you move in.