What To Do If you get Locked out of Your Own House?

Picture this! You are on your way home after a hectic day at work. Your significant other calls you to let you know that they are caught up in something important and won’t be home till late. You stop by the local Japanese restaurant and pick up some sushi, anticipating a relaxing evening of Netflix and chill. You reach home and it is only then that you realize, you forgot to take your keys with you that morning, and are effectively locked out of your own home.

Let’s face it, this, or a similar scenario, has happened to almost all of us. It is easy to forget your keys when you are leaving your home, especially if you are not the last one to leave in the morning.

Being locked out of your house is not a good experience, particularly if you live alone. It can be scary, leaving you feel vulnerable and awkward. While it is not the worst possible thing, it is no less of a nuisance. Here are a few things to keep in mind for the next time you get locked out of your home.

Keep a Spare Set of Keys with Someone You Trust

This could be a family member, friend, neighbour, or you landlord. If you share your home with other people, just give them a call to see if they are close enough to drop by the key for you. Most landlords also keep a separate set of keys. You might also gave given a set of keys to you hired help, like the maid, babysitter, dog sitter, house sitter, or someone else close to you. Call these people to see if they could help you get back into your home.

Jimmy the Lock with Plastic Money

It is possible to jimmy some locks open with the help of any credit, debit, or ID card that is made of thick hard plastic. The card must be form and rigid for this trick to work. All you need to do is insert your card in between the door and the frame at the point where the lock is. Once in place, jimmy the card against the door and push the door handle down with some force. It should open.

Call a Professional Emergency Locksmith

Before you give up and try to break down the door, or consider taking apart your door lock, consider calling a professional to solve this problem. Use your phone to find local locksmiths near you, or click here if you’re from London to access a comprehensive list. These professionals will drive out to your home and help you get back in. Professionals make this rather easy, as locksmiths are usually well prepared.

They have special tools that allow them to make short work of locked doors without keys. The way a professional opens a locked door keeps the integrity of the lock intact, meaning the doorknob or lock won’t need to be replaced.

While it is always good to have friends and family who have a set of keys for you, and it doesn’t hurt to try and jimmy open a locked door with a credit card, your best bet is to get a locksmith to do it for you.

EAN Content

Content shared by this account is either news shared free by third parties or sponsored (paid for) content from third parties. Please be advised that links to third party websites are not endorsed by Estate Agent Networking - Please do your own research before committing to any third party business promoted on our website.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Freehold and Leasehold Reform Act-lessees can control their own destiny

Matthew Pennycock, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, has made a Parliamentary Statement regarding the future progress of the Freehold and Leasehold Reform Act 2024. The Government have formally recognised the “significant complexity of the task” and that the legislation was rushed in at the end of the last parliament and as a result…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove’s weekly mortgage tracker 22/11/24

The current average asking price of a typical first-time buyer property is £225,340. For someone taking out an average five-year fixed, 85% LTV mortgage, the average monthly mortgage repayment on this type of home is now £1,104 per month if repaying over 25 years, compared with £1,138 per month a year ago (when the average first-time buyer property asking price was…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

The Architecture Of Attention Behind Social Media Addiction

In the digital age, social media platforms have revolutionized how we connect, share, and consume information. Behind their sleek interfaces lies a sophisticated architecture of persuasive technology.  These platforms employ intricate design patterns and technical elements to capture and hold user attention. From subtle visual cues to complex algorithmic systems, every feature serves a calculated…
Read More
Breaking News

2025 Predictions for the Private Rental Sector

Allison Thompson, National Lettings Managing Director, Leaders Romans Group (LRG) “As we approach 2025, the lettings industry is entering a phase marked by stabilisation and opportunity. Rental inflation has slowed to an average of 3-4% for new lets, reflecting the effects of affordability constraints; renters’ budgets are beginning to limit how much rents can rise.…
Read More
Breaking News

Response to Matthew Pennycook’s Statement on Leasehold Reform

Yesterday, Secretary of State Matthew Pennycook made a Ministerial Statement on the future of leasehold reform. Responding, Mark Chick, director of ALEP and a Partner at Bishop & Sewell LLP said: ALEP welcomes the ministerial statement which puts in place a timeframe and some objectives for the implementation of the Leasehold & Freehold Reform Act.…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Essential Garage Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

Maximize your garage space with practical storage ideas that keep your items organized and accessible. If you’re dealing with a smaller garage, smart solutions can make a big difference in keeping your space neat and usable. 1.  Wall-Mounted Storage Wall-mounted storage is an excellent way to save space and keep your garage organized, especially in…
Read More