Locked Out of Your Apartment? Here’s What To Do
Getting locked out of your apartment is frustrating, inconvenient, and sometimes stressful. The good news is that most lockouts can be resolved safely if you stay calm and take the right steps.
Whether you stepped out quickly, left your keys inside, or misplaced them while away from home, here is what you should do.
1. Stay Calm and Double-Check the Basics
Before assuming you are fully locked out, take a moment to check a few simple things:
- Make sure you tried every entry door you are authorized to use.
- Check your pockets, bag, car, or anywhere else your keys may have been placed.
- If your unit has another authorized occupant, see whether they may already have access.
- Think through whether the door may have locked automatically behind you.
A quick, careful check can sometimes save you time and avoid unnecessary expense.
2. Contact Any Authorized Occupant or Emergency Contact
If you live with a roommate, spouse, or another authorized occupant on the lease, contact them first to see whether they can let you in.
Residents of one-bedroom units are generally provided with two keys at move-in. To help avoid future lockouts, you may consider keeping the spare in a secure location or with a trusted local emergency contact, if permitted by your lease and community rules. Please use good judgment before sharing access to your home. If a key is lost or you believe the security of the unit may be compromised, notify management promptly.
3. Review Your Lease and Resident Information
If you have access to your phone or another device, review your lease or resident information for any lockout procedures, key policies, or after-hours contact instructions.
Different communities may have different procedures, so it is always best to follow the guidance that applies to your property.
4. Contact Management During Business Hours
If you are locked out during normal business hours, contact management as soon as possible.
When reaching out, please be prepared to provide:
- Your full name
- Property address and unit number
- A callback number
- A brief explanation of what happened
For security reasons, management may need to verify your identity before helping with access. This is for the protection of all residents.
5. If Management Is Unavailable, Contact a Licensed Locksmith
If you are locked out and management is unavailable or unresponsive, you may contact a licensed locksmith to help you regain access to your unit.
Please keep the following in mind:
- Use a reputable, licensed locksmith.
- Request non-destructive entry if possible.
- Locksmith service is typically at the resident’s expense unless otherwise required or specifically approved by management.
- Only authorized occupants should request access.
- If any lock, key, cylinder, or hardware is changed, damaged, or replaced, notify management promptly and provide any new keys or access information as required.
6. Know When It May Be an Emergency
A lockout is not always an emergency, but in some situations immediate action may be necessary.
Examples may include:
- A child is locked inside the unit
- A stove or oven may have been left on
- Water is running inside the unit
- Medication, medical equipment, or another urgent health-related item is inside
- You feel unsafe remaining outside the unit
If there is an immediate threat to health or safety, call 911 first.
7. Do Not Force Entry
If you are locked out, do not attempt to force your way into the unit.
Please do not:
- Break a window
- Pry open a door
- Tamper with the lock
- Climb through unsafe access points
- Attempt any method that could damage the property or cause injury
These actions can create safety risks, cause costly damage, and delay a proper resolution.
8. Be Prepared to Verify Residency
For everyone’s protection, access should only be granted to authorized occupants. If assistance is needed, you may be asked to show identification or otherwise verify that you are the lawful resident of the unit.
If your identification is inside the apartment, reasonable alternative verification may be required before assistance can be provided.
9. Help Prevent Future Lockouts
A few simple habits can reduce the chance of this happening again:
- Keep your keys in the same place each day
- Double-check for keys before closing the door
- Save important contact information in your phone
- Keep your spare key in a secure place
- Consider whether a trusted local emergency contact should hold the spare, if allowed
If a key is lost, stolen, or unaccounted for, notify management promptly so the security of the unit can be evaluated.
Final Thoughts
Lockouts happen. When they do, the best response is a safe and orderly one. Start with the basics, contact any authorized occupant or emergency contact, and then contact management. If management is unavailable, a licensed locksmith may be the next appropriate step.
Most importantly, do not force entry or take unnecessary risks. A calm, careful response is usually the fastest way back inside.