If your place has recently been redone, an irresponsible landlord could have also given temporary keys to the decorators, who in turn made copies.

I would make sure to grab all the keys before handing the lock to the locksmith. I would also make sure to supervise the whole installation from a good angle and completely ignore any distraction. Then I'd test the lock by handling the key myself. You can never be too picky with the security of your home.

Damn...just when I thought I lived in a really nice and safe place! :)

@yankee00, your advice is good for Kunming - as it would be for anywhere else.
@Shyam, relatively speaking, you do.

Plenty of thieves in China. No one is willing to say they know one but sure as hell they can pick locks.
(must be mandatory out of school activity for children)
That's why the average house-door has 5 security bolts that slide into place ^_^

i imagine the police would be fairly useless to me in any case, before, during or after said installation.
just decided to figure out how to do it myself as soon as i realized the flatmate had an extra kicking about intact. easypeasy.
thanks all!

You can get a lock changeout from most lock guys that comes with a set of initial keys. Two keys for any one to use temporarly. Than with another four keys once you use one of these keys all other old keys cannot be used. It costs about 100rmb more. The Chinese figured this out already. Ask you local neighbor rental lady person and give her a few rmb. As to your buidling Jojio those people will help you if you know how to ask them. They are very nice but you are are not the owner.

@jojio, after the installation, at least, I think the police would indeed be helpful.