Quick Answer:

If you're locked out of your house, stay calm and follow these steps: check for any open doors or windows, see if someone you trust has a spare key, and if not, call a professional locksmith. Avoid trying to force the door, as it can cause costly damage. If you rent, your landlord may have a key.

Being locked out of your home is something most people face at least once in their lives — usually when it's the worst timing. Whether you've lost your keys, left them inside, or your lock has jammed, the situation is stressful… but it's rarely as bad as it seems.

At Lockforce UK, we help people across the country every day who’ve found themselves in the same situation. And with the right advice — and a reliable locksmith — getting back in can be easier (and quicker) than you think.

Here’s what to do.

🚪 What To Do When You’re Locked Out of Your House in 2025

1. Check for Unlocked Doors or Windows

It might sound obvious, but start by walking around your home to see if:

• The back door was left open
• A side gate gives you access to another entrance
• Any ground-floor windows are unlocked

Don’t attempt anything risky (like climbing), and never break a window — it’ll cost more to repair than hiring a locksmith.

2. Call Someone Who Has a Spare Key

Do you live with a partner, family member or housemate? Call them — they may be able to come home or give access remotely if you’ve got a smart lock.

If you’ve given a spare key to a neighbour, friend or relative, now’s the time to reach out.

3. Check for a Hidden Key (Carefully)

Some people still keep a spare key outside. If you do, check the usual places in case a partner or family member has left one out (you never know but we have seen it happen when we have turned up to help):

• A key safe
• Behind a garden feature
• In a trusted hiding spot

👉 Security tip for 2025: Avoid classic places like under the mat or a plant pot. Burglars know those tricks. A Police Approved Key Safe is the best approach, not a cheap one from Amazon.

4. Call a Trusted Locksmith 

If the above options don’t work, it’s time to call in the professionals.

At Lockforce UK, we provide:

• The quickest and most effective entry back into your property, based on your situation
• Fast response, 24 hours a day in many areas
• Local, DBS-checked locksmiths you can trust
• Transparent pricing — no hidden fees

We’ve helped thousands of people back into their homes quickly, safely, and without stress.

Top Tip – spend a few minutes checking reviews and recommendations before calling a locksmith you haven’t heard of before. And be wary of LOW (cheap) call out rates.

5. If You Rent, Contact Your Landlord

Landlords or letting agents often have spare keys — especially for emergency access. If it’s during business hours, they may be able to come out or send someone.

Just double-check your tenancy agreement to see who’s responsible for the cost if a locksmith is needed.

6. Don’t Force the Door

It’s tempting. You’re cold, annoyed, and maybe in a rush. But don’t do what we have seen on many occasions:

• Try to kick the door in – you’ll more likely to hurt yourself
• Use a credit card – unless its maxed out and you don’t want to use it anymore 😊
• Jam it open with a screwdriver – not many people carry a spare screwdriver but it won’t help when locked out.

Forcing the door can:

• Wreck your lock, frame or handle
• Void your insurance
• Lead to repair bills far higher than a locksmith’s fee

7. Wait Somewhere Safe

If it’s cold, dark or you’re feeling vulnerable, wait in a neighbour’s house, your car, or a nearby shop. Stay calm — help is on the way.

Why Lockforce UK?

As a national network of independent local locksmiths, Lockforce UK offers:

• ✅ Clear and honest response times
• 🔐 Safe, damage-free entry
• 🧾 Upfront pricing with no surprises
• ⭐ 25k 5 star reviews
• 👮‍♂️ DBS-checked, fully insured professionals

Common Lock Out Questions Answered

❓Can I break into my own house?

Legally, you can attempt to enter your own property, but any damage caused is your responsibility. If the police are called or you injure yourself, it could make matters worse. We don’t recommend it.

❓Will a locksmith damage my door?

No. At Lockforce, we use various entry methods but damaging the door is not one of them. In extreme cases additional measures are required but we will assess the situation and keep you informed of what we are doing and why.

❓Can my insurance cover this?

Sometimes. If your keys were stolen or it’s classed as an emergency, your home insurance or contents policy may cover the cost of a locksmith. Keep the invoice to claim later.

❓How quickly can a locksmith arrive?

Our team will tell you what they can do, and what they can’t. If we can be with you in 30 to 60 minutes, we will tell you. Our teams work at all times throughout the week, and as much as we are 24x7 we do take some time off occasionally.

Locked Out Right Now? Call Lockforce UK

We're here to help get you back inside — fast, safely, and with zero drama.

📞 0333 567 8920

Author: Sean Taylor

Lockforce are very pleased to welcome Holly – the latest locksmith to join our growing network.

Originally from Teesside and having worked alongside Alastair at Lockforce Middlesbrough, Holly brings with her over three years of hands-on locksmith experience. 

She has recently made the move to West Yorkshire and is now proud to be launching her own business serving Huddersfield and the surrounding areas.

If you live in Huddersfield or anywhere with an HD postcode and need a local, professional locksmith you can trust, call Holly on 01484 212 125 or visit her page: www.lockforce.co.uk/locksmith/huddersfield/

“Don’t Get Locked into a Scam” — that’s the message we want every UK household to hear loud and clear.

As the Managing Director of Lockforce UK — a national network of locally-based trusted locksmiths — I’ve become increasingly concerned about the rise in rogue operators who exploit people during emergency callouts.

This article shares real experiences from across our network, the red flags you should watch for, and practical advice you can act on today to protect yourself tomorrow.

If there is only thing you take away from this today, it is to save down the phone number of a trusted and reputable locksmith in your area.

A Growing Crisis in the Locksmith Industry

It is disappointing to report that locksmithing in the UK remains unregulated, meaning anyone can advertise themselves as a locksmith without training, qualifications, or criminal background checks.

The consequences of this lack of regulation are serious. In 2024 alone, complaints about rogue locksmiths rose by 25%, with over 350 reports made to the Master Locksmiths Association.

That’s hundreds of cases where people were misled, overcharged, or left insecure in their own homes.

Local Victims. Real Stories.

We’ve seen this happen again and again. Take this example from one of our locksmiths, Peter Luckley (Lockforce Henley) who was called out to help a distressed homeowner. She had been locked out, contacted a locksmith online, and was quoted a modest fee. The person who arrived wasn’t local, demanded hundreds of pounds, and then threatened to leave her property unsecured when she refused to pay more. That night, she pushed a sofa against the door to feel safe.

In another case, a customer was promised a new lock and a spare key — but the spare key never arrived. Peter inspected the work and discovered it was a cheap lock, poorly fitted, and entirely unnecessary. Even worse, the supposed “local locksmith” had travelled over 60 miles to get there — a clear sign of deceptive advertising and a likely lead-generation middleman.

7 Warning Signs You’re Dealing with a Rogue Locksmith

1. Low “Starting Prices” That Skyrocket

You’ve seen the ads — “Emergency Locksmith from £39!”. But these are almost always bait-and-switch tactics. Once on-site, rogue traders inflate costs with mysterious extras. Some charge £300–£500 for basic entry, when the job should be closer to £90–£150.

According to the MLA, this is one of the most common complaints they receive.

2. No Uniform, No Identification

A professional locksmith will arrive in uniform and carry an ID badge. If someone turns up in plain clothes, can't identify themselves, or appears vague about who they work for — it’s a red flag.

3. Unmarked or Questionable Vehicles

Many rogue locksmiths show up in unbranded vans or private cars, often without proper tools. This not only suggests a lack of professionalism but may indicate they’re working under the radar — and may not be insured or DBS-checked.

4. A Suspicious or Fake Online Presence

Just because someone appears in local Google search results doesn’t mean they’re local. Many rogue outfits create fake location-based websites and use call centres to farm out leads to distant, unvetted subcontractors.

In multiple cases, we’ve seen locksmiths travel 50–100 miles to a job, posing as a local expert.

5. Pushy Behaviour or Aggressive Payment Demands

Rogues are known for pressuring customers mid-job to pay more — often refusing to leave without cash or even demanding payment to stop work that hasn’t been done. If a locksmith won’t give a written quote up front or insists on cash, walk away.

6. Unnecessary Drilling and Lock Destruction

Many rogue locksmiths don’t have the skills or tools to use non-destructive techniques. They go straight to drilling out the lock — which can damage the door and lead to excessive costs. A professional locksmith will explore all options available then explain and agree an appropriate action and related costs before commencement of work. There are many occasions where drilling the lock can offer the quickest and most effective action in the circumstances, but non-destructive entry will always be considered.

7. No Receipts, No Spare Keys, No Peace of Mind

If someone fits a new lock and doesn’t hand over a full set of keys or written receipt, your security could be compromised. In a recent incident we handled, the rogue never returned with the spare key — leaving the customer unsure who had access to her home.

A professional locksmith will issue paperwork, a warranty, and ensure you receive all keys before leaving.

How You Can Protect Yourself — Starting Now

You don’t have to wait until something goes wrong to prepare.

Here are five steps you can take today:

1. Save a trustworthy locksmith’s number in your phone now. That way, you won’t be forced to rely on whoever appears first online in an emergency.
2. Avoid locksmiths advertising suspiciously low prices. If it looks too good to be true, it usually is.
3. Check reviews across multiple platforms, including Trustist and Google. Look for clear local ties and genuine feedback.
4. Ask questions: Are you local? Are you DBS-checked? Can I see ID?
5. Ask for a recommendation from a friend or family member.

Why Lockforce Cares

This article isn’t about promoting Lockforce — it’s about protecting people. We believe in our mission: Keeping You Safe.

That means calling out rogue behaviour when we see it and helping residents across the UK stay informed and empowered.

We’re proud to work alongside brilliant locksmiths across the country. Real people. Real professionals. Real peace of mind.

Need Help or Want to Save a Trusted Number?

Find your nearest vetted Lockforce locksmith using our postcode search below.

Lockforce UK proudly the most reviewed locksmith company in the UK.

Written by Sean Taylor, Managing Director of Lockforce UK

(18th May 2025)