Who Else Has Keys?
When you get the keys to a new rental or purchased home, you typically receive 2–3 copies. But the previous occupants may have made additional copies over the years. Their partner, their kids, a house sitter, a cleaner, a friend who fed the cat during holidays — all of these people might still have a key to your new front door.
In a rental, the landlord usually has a copy, and that's fine. But the previous tenant's copies are a wild card. Dutch and German landlords don't always collect all copies when a tenant moves out, and there's no way to verify that every key has been returned.
Even in a purchased home, the previous owner's real estate agent, contractor, or house sitter might still have copies. The risk is low, but it's not zero — and the fix is cheap and easy.
The Locksmith Option
The traditional approach is to call a locksmith. They'll replace the cylinder (the part the key goes into) and give you a fresh set of keys that only you have. Cost: €100–€250 depending on the cylinder quality and whether the locksmith charges a call-out fee.
In the Netherlands, a decent SKG 2-star cylinder runs €40–€70, and a locksmith charges €50–€100 for installation. An SKG 3-star cylinder (the highest Dutch security rating) costs €70–€120. In Germany, VdS-certified cylinders are in a similar price range.
The downside: you need to schedule a locksmith, which can take a day or two. Not ideal when you want peace of mind on your first night in the new place.
The Smart Lock Option
Here's where moving in and upgrading converge nicely. Instead of paying a locksmith to install a traditional cylinder, you can replace it yourself with a smart lock cylinder in 15 minutes. You're solving two problems at once: you're eliminating the old keys (security) and gaining smart access (convenience).
A smart lock cylinder replaces the old one using the same euro-profile slot — no locksmith needed, no drilling, no modifications. You unscrew the old cylinder, slide in the new one, and pair it with the app. Total cost is similar to or less than a locksmith visit with a high-end cylinder, and you get a vastly more capable lock.
The old keys stop working the moment you remove the old cylinder. Done. No one who had a copy of the old key can get in. It's the cleanest, most definitive lock change you can do.
Why Nuki Is Perfect for This
Nuki's Universal Cylinder is designed for exactly this scenario. It's a euro-profile cylinder with integrated smart lock technology. You remove the old cylinder (one screw, 2 minutes), insert the Universal Cylinder, and pair it with the Nuki app.
You keep the old cylinder — if you're renting, you'll need to reinstall it when you move out. If you bought the place, you can dispose of it.
From day one in your new home, you have: phone-based access, PIN codes for family, Auto Unlock as you approach, an activity log showing every entry, and the ability to grant or revoke access remotely. All from a 15-minute DIY install on your first day.
For renters, this is especially compelling: you'd need to change the cylinder anyway (for security), so why not change it to something smart?
First Week in Your New Home
Here's a practical checklist for your first week:
Day 1: Replace the cylinder. Whether you go traditional or smart, do this before your first night. If you choose Nuki, install the Universal Cylinder and pair it.
Day 1–2: Set up access for household members. With a traditional cylinder, this means getting keys cut. With Nuki, it means tapping a few buttons to create phone access, PIN codes, or fingerprint access.
Day 3–5: Configure convenience features. Set up Auto Lock (so the door always locks behind you), Auto Unlock (so it opens as you approach), and notifications (so you know when anyone enters).
Week 1: Test everything. Make sure all household members can get in. Test the physical key backup. Set up the activity log. And enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly who has access to your new home.