Locked Out of Your House? Do This First.

## Check these five things before calling anyone

You probably did not plan to be locked out. Here is what to do before you spend money on a locksmith.

Check every other entry point. Back door, side gate, garage with internal access, any window that might be on the latch. This is the most obvious step and the one people skip because they are stressed.

Call someone with a spare key. A neighbour, a friend, a family member. Many people have given a spare key to someone and forgotten. It is worth one call.

Check your home emergency cover. Some home insurance policies include home emergency assistance, which covers locksmith call-outs at no extra cost. Look at the policy schedule or call the number on your insurance documents. If you are covered, use that instead of finding a locksmith yourself.

Check whether the door is actually locked. UPVC doors are particularly guilty of this. The handle lifts to engage the locking points; if the door was pulled shut without lifting the handle, the multi-point bolts may not have engaged. Try pushing the door firmly while lifting the handle from outside.

Look for an open window on the ground floor. If you can reach it safely, it may be an option. Do not do anything that involves climbing at height.

If none of that works

Call a locksmith and ask for a full price before they travel. The legitimate starting price in London for a daytime lockout is around £99. Night rates are higher. Anyone quoting under £60 total — including all labour and parts — is planning to charge more on arrival.

Have your ID ready. A legitimate locksmith will ask to see proof that you live at the property before opening the door. This is standard practice and not something to argue with.

If you are a renter, check whether your letting agency has an emergency number. Some agencies use a designated locksmith and can authorise the work faster.

What to do while you wait

Stay near the property if it is safe to do so. Write down the time you called, the price quoted, and the name of the company. This protects you if the engineer tries to charge more on arrival — you have a record of the agreed price.

Do not let a locksmith start work until you have agreed the price in writing or at least verbally on record. Once they have opened the door, your negotiating position is gone.