Property boarding and security screening for vacant properties

When a property changes hands, becomes vacant, or is taken into possession, the security of its existing locks cannot be assumed. Previous occupants, tenants, or third parties may retain copies of keys. Locks damaged during eviction or break-in may no longer provide adequate protection. And in many cases, the existing locks will not meet the standard required by insurers for a vacant property.

Acting quickly to change the locks is one of the most immediate and cost-effective steps an owner, manager, or insolvency practitioner can take to secure a property and meet their obligations from day one.

RemoteZone’s lock change service is available at short notice across the UK. All replacement locks meet British Standard BS3621, which is the standard most commonly required by insurers for residential and commercial properties. Every job is completed by our team and documented with before-and-after photographs, giving clients a clear record without needing to attend the site.

RemoteZone’s lock change service covers all scenarios in which access to a property needs to be changed or secured, including:

• Eviction – Lock changes carried out following the eviction of a tenant or occupant, ensuring the property is secured immediately, and previous occupants cannot re-enter.
• Vacant possession – Securing a property at the point it becomes vacant, whether at the end of a tenancy, following a business closure, or as part of an insolvency process.
• New tenancy – Changing locks ahead of a new occupant taking possession, ensuring previous key holders no longer have access.
• Break-in – Emergency lock changes following unauthorised access, securing damaged or compromised entry points as quickly as possible.

In addition to lock changes, RemoteZone secures windows as part of every job, either by locking built-in window locks or by screwing them secure where locks are absent or damaged.

RemoteZone makes the lock change process as straightforward as possible, particularly for clients who are managing properties remotely or who are unable to attend the site themselves.

• Step 1: Instruction – Contact our team with the property details and the nature of the requirement. We will confirm availability and arrange attendance at the earliest opportunity.
• Step 2: Site attendance – A locksmith attends the property at the agreed time, assesses all entry points, and carries out the lock changes and window securing as required.
• Step 3: Documentation – Before-and-after photographs are taken of every entry point worked on, providing a clear visual record of the condition of the property before and after the work is completed.

Lock changes are relevant across a wide range of sectors and situations. The clients who most commonly use this service include:

• Insolvency practitioners and receivers needing immediate lock changes on day one of taking possession, often alongside alarm installation, boarding, and service isolation.
• Commercial landlords and managing agents securing vacant commercial premises between tenancies or following a tenant default.
• Facilities management professionals managing lock changes across multiple sites as part of a broader vacancy management programme.
• Education and healthcare building managers needing to secure buildings that have become vacant following closure, refurbishment, or redevelopment.
• Legal and property professionals acting on behalf of clients who need a property secured quickly and compliantly.

Find out more about who we help →

• British Standard BS3621 as standard – Every replacement lock we supply and install meets BS3621, giving clients and their insurers confidence that the property is secured to the required specification.
• Rapid attendance – Our team can attend most properties within 24 hours of instruction, with same-day attendance available for urgent situations.
• No site visit required – Before-and-after photographs are provided for every job, so you can confirm the work completed without needing to travel to the property.
• Full service available from day one – Lock changes can be combined with alarm installation, property boarding, service isolation, and other protect and prevent services, all coordinated through a single provider.
• 50 years of combined experience – Our team understands the specific requirements of vacant property lock changes, from insurer compliance to day one possession scenarios.
• Nationwide coverage – We operate across the UK, with local teams able to attend properties in any region at short notice.

Please fill out the form below to tell us about the property you need to board. Our team will provide a no-obligation quote based on your photographs and recommend the most appropriate solution for your situation.