That sudden, sinking feeling in your stomach. You hear the click of the door behind you, and in that instant, you realize your keys are not in your hand. Gasp! They’re inside, sitting on the dining room table!
Being locked out of your apartment is a frustrating experience that can happen to anyone. Before panic sets in, know that you have options to bring the nightmare to a close. From contacting your landlord to calling a locksmith, here's some practical advice should you ever find yourself in this situation.
Steps to Take When Locked Out of Your Apartment
It’s easy to panic when you can’t get into your apartment. Take a deep breath and run through a checklist of things you can do to solve the problem.
1. Call your property manager
If you live in an apartment complex, your leasing office agents have an extra copy of your apartment key and are well-versed in the community’s lockout policy. If this is your first time being locked out of your apartment, you may not have to pay a fee, but if you constantly find yourself locked out (hopefully not!), you may be subject to a fine for a replacement key.
If you’re locked out of your apartment after dark, you may be able to reach someone at the property by calling the after hours number. If there's not a specific after hours number, try calling the main leasing office to connect with emergency maintenance or an after hours assistant to let them know you're locked out and to find out their procedure. If you a renting a house, a private landlord may be available to help you out with a spare key or locksmith referral.
2. Phone a friend
If you live with a roommate, call your roomie. Your best bet may be to hang out at a local coffee shop and enjoy a cup of cappuccino while you wait for your roommate to come save the day.
If you don't have a roommate, is there anyone you forgot about who has a key to your apartment? What about your pet sitter or a close friend? It may seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget the basics during stressful moments.
3. Contact a locksmith
If you’ve exhausted all your options, your best bet is to call a professional locksmith to help you get back into your apartment. Many locksmiths are available 24 hours a day and can unlock your apartment for you, even when the door is bolted shut. Start by searching online for nearby locksmiths with good reviews.
Look for professionals who are licensed, bonded, and insured. Ask for a quote over the phone that includes all potential fees, such as emergency service charges, mileage, and the cost of labor. A trustworthy locksmith will be transparent about pricing.
When the locksmith arrives, be prepared to show ID or some sort of proof that you occupy the rental. if your proof is locked inside, the locksmith will most likely wait once the door is opened to immediately have your verify your residency. This step is essential for both your security and the building’s safety, as it ensures the locksmith is not granting unauthorized access to someone who shouldn’t be in the unit.
Preventing Future Lock Outs is as Easy as 1, 2, 3!
In a perfect world, we would never forget our keys, but life happens to all of us. Here are some things you can do to help prevent another lockout in the future.
1. Create a "leaving" routine
Develop a mental or physical checklist for when you leave your apartment. Always check for your "phone, wallet, keys" before you shut the door. Placing a small table or hook right by the door can serve as a designated spot for your keys, making them harder to forget.
2. Give someone you trust a spare key
If your apartment complex gives you an extra key or allows you to duplicate your key, give the spare to a trusted family member or friend. Make sure you choose someone close by who can let you in if you’re locked out.
Don’t just hand the person a loose key—instead, attach a key chain, a key tag with your first name written on it, or get a colorful lanyard so it’s easily recognizable and less likely to be misplaced. And watch where the person stores your key in case you have to remind them of it later!
Knowing that someone has your back in case something like this ever happens again can be comforting or even lifesaving. Even if you are the type who never forgets or loses your keys, having a backup plan is always wise!
3. Consider keyless entry
A lot of newer rentals are including an array of smart devices in their units, such as smart locks. Smart locks allow renters keyless entry to their apartments through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, mobile apps, or voice commands. Chat with your landlord about upgrading to smart locks to remove the need of keeping up with physical keys.
Getting locked out of your apartment can be stressful, but remember, it’s a temporary and solvable problem. You’ll be inside your home again in no time, and should it happen again, you’ll handle it like a pro!
Originally published by Shannon Jones on June 7, 2019.
