Congratulations!!! You’re officially a homeowner. You are probably pretty focused on all of those boxes to unpack, whether or not you should add a little more color to certain rooms, and just how to arrange the furniture for the best flow. But there’s one crucial detail that shouldn’t be overlooked: your home security.
Think about it: You probably have no idea who has an extra key, a code, or access to your home. That could include previous owners, old tenants, a neighbour or two, or even an old contractor. You just don’t know.
That’s why the first 30 days matter so much. This new homeowner security checklist can help make sure nothing slips between the cracks. You’ll know exactly what to do, day by day, to make your home truly safe and secure.
Day 1: Change or Rekey Every Exterior Lock
This is the single most important task on your list. And you absolutely do not want to put it off. After all, you have no way of knowing how many keys to your home exist or who’s holding them. Anyone from the past owners to real estate agents to cleaners to contractors could have a key you don’t know about. A neighbour (or more) could have a key from the last time they fed the cat while the previous owners were away.
The fix, fortunately, is simple. Call a licensed locksmith to rekey your existing locks—this is often much less expensive than replacing them all. If you’re the handy type, you could also pick up a rekeying kit and do it yourself. Or, if you could also look into options to replace the current locks with smart locks to make your home both more secure and convenient.
Don’t just stop with the front door. Check every exterior entry point—the back door, side doors, garage service door (if you have one), basement door, etc. If you can get in or out of your home through that door, you want to make sure the lock has been rekeyed.
While you’re at it, this is a good time to examine the locks. If any look worn out or outdated, this is one of the best times to upgrade to grade-1 or grade-2 hardware for better durability and security.
Days 1 – 3: Audit the Existing Security Equipment
If your new home is set up with an existing alarm system, don’t assume it’s ready to go—or even working. We’ve seen several homes that look like they’re wired for security, but the system has been turned off (and outdated) for years or even decades.
Start by testing sensors, keypads, and the siren to see what’s functional. Double-check the camera and sensor batteries. If the home’s been on the market for a bit, they may not work as expected—or at all.
It’s also important to see who—if anyone—is monitoring the system. Old equipment sometimes stays tied to the previous owner’s account. That means it may no longer be actively monitored. Or, the alerts could be routed to someone who no longer lives there.
If you want to keep the system, you can contact the provider to see if you can transfer the monitoring to your name. This is also a good time to chat about service updates and if it’s time to cancel outdated service for a full refresh.
This is also a good time to note where sensors and security cameras are placed, so you know what’s covered or where blind spots may be.
Week 1: Reset Access Codes and Remotes
Locks aren’t the only access points. Garage door codes are often left unchanged for years. And since you have no idea who programmed the code or how long ago, this is another important update. Old remotes, keypad codes, and even the owner’s phone (if they had smart garage openers) could provide unwanted access to your home.
Reprogram these completely instead of just adding a new code on top of existing ones.
The same goes with keypad entry locks or smart locks on the home: do a full factory reset and set up fresh codes and access rather than assuming the old ones were removed. Taking just a few minutes to update the digital door locks closes an open door (literally and figuratively).
Week 1: Secure Your Digital Home
Yes, we’re still in the first week, but your digital access points deserve the same level of scrutiny as the physical ones.
If the old homeowners left a modem or router, you’ll want to not only change the billing information but also update the Wi-Fi network name and password and the router’s admin credentials. These are often left on factory defaults or have the same info as when originally set up.
Next, it’s time to take an inventory of any smart devices your home is equipped with. That includes video doorbells, smart thermostats, connected cameras, and smart plugs. Each will need to be reset and registered under your account with new passwords and two-factor authentication wherever offered.
A smart home is only as secure as its weakest login, so make sure nothing is running on someone else’s credentials.
Weeks 1 – 2: Check the Physical Perimeter
How is the unpacking going? Hopefully you are starting to feel a little more settled.
Now that the doors and locks are taken care of (they are, right?), it’s time to take a little stroll around the property to catch some of the gaps most people miss.
Check every window lock and latch, including those in the basement and upper-floor windows. Are any coming loose or slipping? A faulty lock can become an easy entry point.
Sliding doors deserve extra care. If you don’t have a secondary bar or pin lock, add one. Factory locks alone, unfortunately, are easy to force open.
Take stock of your mailbox too—especially if you’re still seeing mail with the previous owner’s name. A locking mailbox helps prevent identity theft and package tampering.
Finally, stroll around the home at night to look for dark corners that could use motion-sensor lighting and trim any shrubs or trees that are currently blocking windows and sidelines. Overgrown landscaping is one of the easiest ways for intruders to find cover.
Week 2: Get to Know the Neighbourhood
Wow, it’s been a week already? What will you do with all of those empty boxes?
Maybe it’s time to get to know your neighbourhood. After all, safety isn’t just about hard ware, it’s also about people. And getting off to a friendly start with the folks next door, across the street, or up the block may help you find where to drop off recycling.
More importantly, when folks in the hood recognize you, your vehicles, and perhaps your pets, they’re more likely to notice when something looks off.
This is also a good time to ask if there’s an active neighbourhood watch program—or gauging interest to start one if it doesn’t.
This is also a good time to save your local police department’s non-emergency number in your phone. This is a handy resource that’s easy to overlook until you actually need it to, say, report a suspicious vehicle or a missing porch package.
Weeks 3 – 4: Book a Professional Monitoring Assessment
Now that you’ve taken care of the essentials, it’s time to consider a professional walkthrough, which can catch what even a careful homeowner can miss. A camera coverage blind spot. A wrongly placed sensor. Or a vulnerable entry point you didn’t know was there.
A monitoring assessment also gives you a chance to talk through your specific needs or concerns. Do you, for example, want 24/7 professional monitoring? Mobile alerts? Integration with the smart devices you just secured?
This is a good time to also explore monitoring packages built for how you actually live—rather than just going with what the home currently has.
As a bonus, many home insurance providers offer discounts for professionally monitored systems—so this may end up almost paying for itself.
By Day 30: Quick-Reference Checklist
✅ Rekey or change all of the exterior locks
✅ Test and transfer (or replace) existing alarm equipment
✅ Reset garage codes, remotes, and smart locks
✅ Update Wi-Fi, router, and smart device credentials
✅ Check windows, sliding doors, mailbox, and exterior lighting
✅ Meet your neighbours and save the non-emergency police line
✅ Book a professional monitoring assessment
In just 30 days, your new house won’t just start feeling like a home; it will also be more secure for you and your family. Explore our monitoring packages to find the right fit for your home or, better yet, contact us below or call (888) 660-2814 to speak with one of our friendly security experts.
And welcome home!