Getting locked out of your apartment can be frustrating, but accidents happen. Perhaps the door locks behind you and you forgot your key inside, you just got home from vacation and realize you left your key behind, or a hard-to-reach roommate accidentally locks you out. We’ve all been there and know it’s not a great feeling to be locked out of your apartment. Your options to get into your apartment aren’t always great. Breaking in through a window is costly and dangerous. If your landlord helps with lockouts, they might charge you a fee. If they don’t assist with lockouts, staying outside all night isn’t ideal. Save yourself a night’s sleep, avoid paying a fee, or losing part of your security deposit with these four tips on how to hide your apartment key in worst case scenarios.
1. The Window Planter
Sticking the key under a flowerpot is too obvious, but you can step it up a notch by securing your key in a waterproof case and planting it with your flowers in the window box or planter.
Yes, you’ll have to get your hands dirty if you get locked out, but better to sift through some dirt than to have to call your landlord for assistance or risk sitting outside all night.
If you’re not a plant lover or don’t want to get your hands dirty, you can glue a pill bottle to a rock or pinecone and burry the pill bottle into the ground so only the rock or pinecone is visible to the outside.
2. The Dog's Collar
This method will only work if your dog is with you, but stashing a spare key behind the tags on your dog’s collar is a good back-up plan. This might work best with large dogs so you don’t weigh your smaller dog down with the key. You’ll also want to make sure that the key is secure because you don’t want it to get in your dog’s way. You can secure it by putting the key on a ring and attaching it to the collar in the same way you attached their dog tags to the collar.
If this method doesn’t work for you, you can still let your dog help out by putting the key under their doghouse. People looking for keys don’t won’t want to alert your dog, so it’s the last place they would check for a key.
If these options work for you and your dog, it’ll make the pet deposit well worth it!
3. The Wind Chimes or Door Knocker
Wind chimes, if you have them, are the ultimate key-hiding vehicle. Searching through them makes a lot of noise, so it will deter any potential unwanted guests.
For those with an indoor entrance or without wind chimes, you can buy a hollow door knocker, stick a spare key in the back of it, and secure it to your door using Velcro. If your door is metal, you can glue magnets to the back of the door knocker and stash the key behind it. This is one of those “hidden in plain sight” places that should keep your apartment secure.
Other front door related methods and devices you can buy include a working thermostat that hides keys in the back, a bird house with a drop-down latch for keys, or a brick with a hollow inside.
4. Smart Locks and Key Safes
If you don’t live in a place where you can simply hide a spare key, you still have options. You can purchase items like smart locks or a key safe that hide a spare key inside.
Some smart locks connect to video doorbells and security systems and can be controlled through an app on your phone. You’ll have total control of who enters your apartment and when. You could even get rid of your need for a key since you’ll be able to control everything from your phone.
You can think of key safes as the analog version of smart locks. Key safes are little lock boxes that open with a number code. Since the safe only opens with a code, you can hide it somewhere near your door or stick it to the outside of the door. Just make sure to jumble the numbers after you put in your code! Key safes are great ways to hide spare keys and give yourself peace of mind.
Tips for Avoiding Lockouts
If you’re notorious for locking yourself out, you can use a few tricks so you’re not always searching for the spare key.
Have a key station near your front door. You can use simple wall hooks, buy a key shelf or bowl, or create a DIY version. Having a spot for your keys will help you remember to grab them on your way out and give you a designated space to hang them. This way, you won’t lose your keys and it will become second nature to reach for them because they are always in the same place.
Another option is to put a note next to your door that says “keys.” This sounds obvious, but it’s a visual reminder to check your pockets or bag to make sure your keys are there. Another great idea is to keep your keys, ID, and anything else you can’t leave the house without together so you can grab everything at once and be on your way.
As always, choose the spare key hiding spot that makes you feel the most secure, and to avoid any roommate disagreements, make sure they are on board with hiding a key somewhere outside of the apartment. It’s also a good idea to put a few decoy keys with your actual key. This way, if your keys get into the wrong hands, it won’t be so obvious. Another good idea is to give a spare key to a neighbor or friend if you feel comfortable. Almost everyone has accidentally locked themselves out before, so hiding keys is often necessary. Hopefully these tips will help you avoid any potential lockouts and additional consequences!
