Being locked out of a place you rent adds a layer to an already bad moment: the door is yours to use, but the lock usually isn't yours to change. Knowing the order to do things in saves time, and sometimes a call altogether.
Step 1: Call your landlord or property manager first
Many landlords and property managers keep a key, and larger buildings often have a maintenance person on call during the day. Your lease may say exactly how lockouts are handled. If someone can let you in, that is the quickest and simplest way back inside.
Step 2: If you can't reach them, call a locksmith
If nobody answers, or they can't come, a locksmith can get you back in. Expect to be asked for proof that you live there, and have it ready if you can:
- A photo ID with the address on it.
- A copy of the lease, on paper or on your phone.
- A utility bill or a piece of mail addressed to you at that address.
- If your ID shows an old address, anything that connects you to the apartment helps.
A locksmith who opens a door without asking who you are should worry you, because the same thing could happen to your door when you're not home.
Getting back in is not the same as changing the lock
Opening the door gets you inside. Changing or rekeying the lock is a separate decision, and in a rental it is usually the landlord's to make, since most landlords keep a key to the unit.
Check your lease before changing anything. If you want the lock changed, for example after a lost key or a roommate moving out, ask your landlord to approve it. With their approval, we can rekey the lock and make sure they get a copy of the new key.
Shared doors are the building's
In a building with a shared front door, a lobby or a mailroom, those locks belong to the building. If you are locked out of the building itself, the property manager is the first call.
If you lost your keys rather than locked them in
A lost key ring with your address on it is a different problem from keys left on the kitchen table. Tell your landlord that the key is lost, not just locked inside, so they can decide whether the lock should be rekeyed.
Avoiding the next lockout
- Leave a spare key with a friend or family member you trust nearby.
- Don't hide a key outside the door. Everyone knows where to look.
- If your door locks automatically when it closes, make it a habit to check for your keys before stepping out.
