Residential Locksmith London
Complete home locksmith services across London. Lock changes, installations, emergency lockouts, and security upgrades for houses, flats, and apartments.
Home Locksmith Services
City Locksmith London covers all residential security needs - home lock installation, repair, security upgrades and emergency lockouts - available 24/7 across Greater London with a typical 25-minute response and no call-out fee. Every lock we fit is insurance-grade, meeting BS3621 and TS007 standards where required. Lock change from £69 (labour), with a fixed quote agreed before any work starts.
Your home is your sanctuary, and keeping it secure is our priority. Our residential locksmiths provide everything you need to protect your property, from emergency lockout assistance to planned security upgrades. Understanding the risks is the first step - our guide on how burglars break into houses in London explains the most common entry methods and how to counter them. When it comes to choosing the right hardware, our overview of the best front door locks in the UK compares the key options, and for more technical detail on upgraded cylinders and mortice locks our guide on what high-security locks are and when you need them is a good starting point. With 15+ years of experience securing London homes, we deliver expert advice and quality workmanship on every job.
Lock Changes & Upgrades
Replace old or insecure locks with modern high-security alternatives. We upgrade Yale, mortice, euro cylinder, and rim locks to meet current British Standards and insurance requirements. See our dedicated lock change service for more details.
From £69 (labour)
New Lock Installation
Additional locks fitted to improve your home security. Deadlocks, night latches, door chains, window locks, and smart locks installed by experienced locksmiths. Visit our door lock installation page for the full range.
From £89/hour
Emergency Lockouts
Are you locked out of your house? We provide a 24/7 emergency lockout service across London with an average response time of 25 minutes. Non-destructive entry techniques are used wherever possible, so in most cases your door and lock stay fully usable.
From £79
Break-in Repairs
After a burglary, we secure your home with emergency lock changes, door repairs, and security upgrades. Our break-in repair team responds quickly to make your property safe again and provides invoices for insurance claims. For longer-term peace of mind, see our advice on how to protect your house after a break-in.
Window Lock Fitting
Secure your windows with new locks. We fit locks on sash windows, casement windows, and uPVC windows. For multipoint window and door mechanisms see our uPVC and composite door locks service. Window locking is a low-cost improvement that often satisfies insurer requirements too.
Smart Lock Installation
Upgrade to keyless entry with smart locks. Control access from your phone, set temporary codes for guests, and never worry about lost keys again. Read our guide to the best smart locks for UK homes before you choose.
From £129/hour
Moving Into a New Home?
We offer a comprehensive new-home lock change service. Our locksmith replaces all exterior locks, checks window security, and provides a free security assessment, giving you complete peace of mind from day one.
Get a Free QuoteWhen Should You Change the Locks on Your Home?
If you cannot account for every key to your home, your locks are no longer doing their job. These are the most common moments when a London homeowner or tenant should change or re-key their locks.
Moving into a new home
You have no way of knowing how many key copies the previous owners, estate agents, builders or cleaners still hold. Our guide to changing locks when moving house explains why it should be day-one priority.
After a break-in or attempt
A forced or tampered lock can no longer be trusted. Replacing it restores both security and insurance compliance.
Lost or stolen keys
If a key is missing, left in a public place, or stolen with anything showing your address, re-keying or a full lock change closes the risk.
Relationship breakdown or housemate moving out
After a separation, divorce or a flatmate leaving, changing the locks ensures only the current household holds a key.
Old, stiff or worn locks
A lock that sticks or no longer meets current British Standards is both a daily nuisance and a potential insurance problem. We can repair, re-key or upgrade it.
Start or end of a tenancy
Landlords and tenants both have reasons to re-key between lets. Our blog on whether a tenant can change locks in England covers the rules.
Home Lock Types and Insurance Standards Explained
Choosing the right lock is mostly about your door material and your insurer's wording. Here is what matters for a typical London home, in plain terms. For a deeper reference see our overview of home lock types and British Standards.
BS3621 five-lever mortice deadlock (wooden doors)
For timber external doors, most insurers specify a five-lever mortice deadlock that carries the BS3621 Kitemark. It deadlocks from inside and out, resists drilling and picking, and is the standard insurers refer to when they ask for "British Standard locks". Read our explainer on what a BS3621 lock is and why your insurance requires it.
TS007 3-star anti-snap euro cylinders (uPVC & composite doors)
uPVC and composite doors use a euro cylinder inside a multipoint locking system. Older cylinders are vulnerable to lock snapping, so we fit TS007 3-star cylinders (or a 1-star cylinder with a 2-star security handle) that are anti-snap, anti-drill, anti-pick and anti-bump. See our uPVC and composite door locks service for details.
Sold Secure & Secured by Design
Sold Secure (with its SS312 Diamond grade for high-security cylinders) and the police-backed Secured by Design scheme independently test products against real attack methods. These ratings are a quick way to identify a genuinely tough lock rather than relying on marketing claims.
Night latches, rim locks & multipoint systems
A Yale-type night latch or rim lock is convenient but, on its own, rarely meets insurance requirements - it is best paired with a BS3621 deadlock. uPVC and composite doors rely on a multipoint mechanism that throws several bolts when you lift the handle, which we can adjust, repair or replace.
We assess your existing locks against your specific home insurance policy wording and recommend only what you actually need. No upgrade is ever fitted without your go-ahead.
What to Expect: From Your Call to a Secured Home
- 1
Call or request a quote
Tell us the door type and the problem and we give an indicative, no-obligation price up front. There is no call-out fee.
- 2
A DBS-checked locksmith arrives
A background-vetted, fully insured locksmith comes to you, typically within 25 minutes for emergencies anywhere in Greater London.
- 3
Proof of residence is confirmed
Before any entry work we ask for proof you live at or own the property. It is standard good practice that protects you and your home.
- 4
Non-destructive entry first
We attempt non-destructive entry to avoid the cost of a replacement lock. Drilling is only ever a last resort, discussed with you first.
- 5
Work completed, itemised invoice provided
We confirm the final price before starting, complete the work, and give you a clear itemised invoice - useful if you are making an insurance claim.
Additional Home Locksmith Services
Beyond lock changes and lockouts, our residential locksmiths handle the smaller everyday jobs that keep a home running smoothly. See the full locksmith price list for from-prices on each.
- Key cutting and key duplication for spare and replacement keys.
- Lock re-keying and keyed-alike so one key works several doors.
- Broken key extraction when a key snaps in the lock.
- Internal door locks for bedrooms, bathrooms and home studies.
- Key safe installation for carers, family or holiday-let access.
- Garage, shed and outbuilding security to protect bikes and tools.
Run a business as well as a home? Our commercial locksmith services cover shops, offices and rental portfolios across London.
Why Londoners trust City Locksmith
Fully insured, DBS-checked engineers with 15+ years securing London homes and businesses - no call-out fee, with the price agreed up front.
Non-destructive entry
We open without damage where possible
DBS-checked engineers
Background-vetted technicians
Fully insured
Comprehensive public liability cover
15+ years
Serving London since 2008
24/7, 365 days
Day, night, weekends, bank holidays
No call-out fee
Free quotes, price agreed up front
Every job is carried out by an insured, DBS-checked engineer, with a fixed, all-inclusive price agreed before any work begins - no call-out fee and no surprises on the doorstep.
Residential Locksmith FAQ
Find answers to common questions about our locksmith services.
Should I change my locks when I move house?
What lock do I need to meet my home insurance?
How much does a home locksmith cost in London?
Is it cheaper to repair or replace a lock?
How do I get one key that works all my doors?
How do you confirm I own or live at the property before opening a door?
Will you damage my door to get in?
Do you provide a home security assessment?
What our customers say
Real jobs, real Londoners. A few words from people we have helped.
Used them to secure the whole house when we moved in. Changed locks, added window locks and gave us honest advice on the front door. Felt looked after rather than sold to. Will use again.
Sorted the locks on our period property without damaging the original fittings, which mattered to us. Clearly cared about doing it right. Lovely chap and a tidy worker.
Older mum needed her locks made easier to use as her hands aren't great. They fitted a thumbturn and a simpler handle and were so patient with her. Really kind service.
Had a key safe fitted for our cleaner and a couple of locks serviced while he was here. Quick, reasonable and friendly. The sort of local service you don't always find these days.
Second time I've used City Locksmith and same good experience both times. On time, polite, knows their trade and charges fairly. Saved their number in my phone now.
Old school service with a modern setup. Booked easily, kept me updated on timing, and did a thorough job. The sort of tradesman you actually want to come back.
Quick to answer, quick to arrive, and the engineer clearly took pride in the job. Explained everything in plain English without talking down to me. Hard to find these days.
Reliable from the first phone call to the finished job. No drama, no mess, fair money. Recommended them to two neighbours already and both were happy too.
Friendly, fast and honest, which is all you really want from a locksmith. Sorted my problem the same day and didn't make me feel daft for the mistake that caused it. Top marks.
Fitted a master key system across our office so we could control who gets into the stockroom. Worked around our opening hours, minimal disruption, and labelled everything clearly. Spot on.
Need a home locksmith? Call now
Professional residential locksmith services across London. 24/7 availability, fair prices, quality guaranteed.
Call 020 4524 6667