Moving Into a New Home? Garage Door Security Checklist

List every way the garage can be opened

Start with a simple inventory. Look for handheld remotes, wireless keypads, wall controls, vehicle-integrated buttons, smart garage hubs, cameras, and app-based users. Ask the seller, landlord, or property manager how many controls were issued and whether any are missing. Record the opener brand and model so you can use its exact instructions.

Do not assume that receiving two remotes means only two were ever programmed. Previous household members, contractors, or vehicles may have had access. For a Wellesley-area home with multiple garage bays, document each opener separately because clearing or programming one unit may not affect the others.

Erase old remotes and keypad codes correctly

Many openers let the owner clear all programmed handheld remotes and keypads from memory. Chamberlain specifically identifies moving into a new house or losing a remote as reasons to do this. Clearing memory removes prior codes, so each remote and keypad you want to keep must be programmed again afterward.

Follow the manual for the exact opener and wall control. The buttons and reset behavior vary by model, and some procedures erase more than others. Simply unplugging an opener for a long period does not erase programmed remotes. Keep the doorway clear and in view while programming because the door may move.

Transfer smart-opener ownership separately

Radio remotes and app ownership are separate layers of access. For myQ equipment, Chamberlain states that a device can belong to only one account at a time. The previous owner should remove the device from that account before the new owner adds it. If the device reports that it belongs to another account, follow the manufacturer's ownership-transfer or factory-reset process.

A Wi-Fi reset is not always an ownership reset. Chamberlain explains that resetting network settings alone does not remove the prior myQ account. A factory reset can also erase paired controls and other settings, so check the model-specific consequences before starting and plan to reconnect only approved devices.

Rebuild access around current users

After old access is removed, program only the remotes and vehicle buttons you can identify. Set a new keypad PIN that is not reused for alarms, phones, or other accounts. Avoid obvious house numbers, birthdays, or repeated digits. Keep a private list of who has a remote or app invitation so future access changes are straightforward.

Use the opener platform's sharing feature instead of sharing the primary account password when available. Review invited household members, guests, temporary passes, and access schedules. Remove entries that are no longer needed. If a rental or sale changes occupants again, make device removal part of the handover.

Check the door before trusting the technology

New access settings do not correct a mechanical or safety problem. Observe one normal cycle from a safe location and note crooked travel, scraping, shaking, hesitation, or a door that does not close completely. Confirm that the photo-eye area is clear and consult the opener manual for its safety-test procedure.

Stop using the system if you see a broken spring, hanging cable, roller outside its track, damaged bottom bracket, or unstable door. Do not adjust springs, cables, or opener force. A professional garage door inspection is a practical addition to a home purchase when service history is unknown.

Adopt safer everyday access habits

DASMA advises keeping remotes secured and away from children. If a vehicle is parked outside, lock it and avoid leaving a visible remote where it can be taken. Treat a lost remote like a lost key: remove its access promptly rather than waiting to see whether it appears.

Watch the door until it closes fully, even when using a remote or smart control. Check the app's user list periodically and review access again after a tenant, caregiver, housekeeper, contractor, or household member no longer needs entry. These habits help keep the access list aligned with the people who actually live at or serve the property.

Frequently asked questions