Someone Has a Copy of Your House Key: Act Now
- •An unauthorised copy of your key gives someone silent, traceless access to your home.
- •Rekeying permanently invalidates every existing copy — including ones you didn't hand out yourself.
- •Every external entry point sharing that key needs attention, not just the front door.
- •Same-day action closes the risk window before it becomes a real problem.
- •A licensed Perth locksmith can assess and rekey your locks in a single visit.
You’ve just realised a former flatmate still has a key, your ex-partner never returned theirs, or a tradesperson walked away with a spare — and you can’t be sure whether copies were made. This is not a theoretical risk. An unauthorised key gives someone silent, no-forced-entry access to your home, and the only way to eliminate that access is to change the lock’s internal configuration.
Why Is an Unauthorised Key Copy So Dangerous?
Silent entry leaves no evidence — until something is already missing.
A burglar who forces a door leaves marks. Someone using a valid key leaves nothing visible — no broken frame, no scratched lock, no alert to a neighbour. By the time you notice something is wrong, the entry has already happened.
The risk isn’t limited to theft. An unauthorised key holder can enter when you’re asleep, when the house is empty, or when children are home alone. The combination of key and address — even if the person seems trustworthy — is a security gap you should not leave open.
If a standard keyway was used and the key was handed to a tradesperson or letting agent, copies may have been made without your knowledge. Rekeying invalidates every copy ever cut — including ones you never authorised.
What Does Rekeying Actually Do to Your Lock?
Same hardware, completely new key — here's what changes inside the cylinder.
Rekeying means a locksmith removes the lock cylinder, replaces the internal key pins with a new configuration, and cuts a fresh key to match. Your old keys stop working permanently — including every copy ever made from them. The lock body, door hardware, and strike plate stay exactly where they are.
You’re not paying for new hardware — just a new key combination. Our full range of locksmith services includes on-site rekeying, so there’s no need to remove anything from your door yourself. A licensed locksmith handles everything in a single visit.
Should You Rekey or Fully Replace the Lock?
The condition of your existing lock determines which option makes sense.
If your locks operate smoothly with no rust, stiffness, or visible damage, rekeying is almost always the right call. It achieves the same security outcome — eliminating all previous key access — at a lower cost and with no change to your existing door hardware.
If your locks are corroded, mechanically worn, or more than 10–15 years old, an unauthorised key copy is the right trigger to upgrade entirely. Perth’s coastal climate accelerates corrosion, and what looks minor on the surface is often far worse inside the cylinder. Ask your locksmith to assess condition before defaulting to a rekey on ageing hardware.
Which Locks in Your Home Actually Need Attention?
Don't stop at the front door — every shared entry point is a gap.
If the unauthorised copy opens your front door, it likely opens your back door, side gate, and garage entry too — especially on a matched-key or master key system. A partial rekey leaves gaps a determined person will find.
- •Front door — highest priority, address this first
- •Back and side entry doors — equally critical, often overlooked
- •Garage entry into the home — a common and underestimated access point
- •Deadbolts and separate security locks — each cylinder needs individual rekeying
- •Storage sheds or workshops if the same key profile was used
If you’re rekeying multiple locks anyway, ask your locksmith about setting up a master key system — one key that opens all your locks, with individual keys available for specific doors if needed. It’s a smarter long-term setup and is configured during the rekeying process itself.
Is a Restricted Keyway Worth Considering Going Forward?
Prevent the same problem from happening again with key control built into the hardware.
A restricted keyway uses a patented key profile controlled by the manufacturer, who limits key blank distribution to authorised, registered locksmiths. That means keys can’t be duplicated at a hardware store or shopping centre kiosk — only through an authorised locksmith in the registered system.
If you hand a key to a tradesperson or property manager in the future, a restricted keyway prevents unauthorised copies from being cut without your knowledge. It’s a one-time upgrade that permanently strengthens your key control — ask your locksmith whether your current locks support a restricted system or if new cylinders are needed.
Your Questions Answered
Straight answers to what Perth homeowners ask most in this situation.
How quickly should I act if someone has a copy of my key?
The same day is the safest answer. Every hour you wait is an hour of potential access for whoever holds that copy. Ultimate Lock & Security is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — call 0481 365 802 and a locksmith can come directly to your property.
Will rekeying invalidate copies of my key that I don't know about?
Yes — rekeying changes the internal pin configuration so that every key ever cut to the old combination stops working, whether you knew about it or not. This is exactly why rekeying is so effective after a tenancy change, a relationship breakdown, or a tradesperson visit.
Can I just ask the person to return the key instead of rekeying?
You can ask, but you cannot verify that a copy wasn’t made before the key was returned. Rekeying is the only way to guarantee that a returned key — and any copies of it — no longer works. Trusting a returned key alone leaves your security unresolved.
What if I also want to upgrade my security at the same time?
This is a good time to assess your lock grades alongside the rekey. If exterior doors rely on basic knob locks as the primary security, no rekey upgrades that — you’d need a deadbolt fitted. A licensed locksmith can assess your entry points and recommend what’s worth upgrading while already on-site.
Ready to Close the Security Gap Today?
Don’t wait to see if the risk resolves itself — it won’t. Call Ultimate Lock & Security on 0481 365 802, available 24/7 across Perth, and get your locks rekeyed today.