Being locked out is stressful, inconvenient and, at night, a little unnerving. It happens to almost everyone eventually. In Coogee, it happens more than most places: self-latching unit doors, keys left in board shorts at the beach, and late nights out on Coogee Bay Road all play their part. This guide explains what to do, step by step, so you get back inside quickly and without paying for more than you need.

First: are you safe?

Before anything else, consider your safety.

If someone is inside who needs help, such as a young child, an unwell person or someone at risk, or if something on the stove or in the bath could cause harm, call 000 first. Emergency services can force entry when life or safety is at risk.
If it is late and you feel unsafe, move somewhere well lit, such as a neighbour's door, a café or a nearby business, while you make calls.
If you think someone has broken in, do not go inside. Call NSW Police.

Once you know you are safe, you can deal with the door calmly.

The first ten minutes

Check every other way in, legitimately

It sounds obvious, but in a panic it is easy to miss:

a back or side door you may have left unlocked;
a housemate, partner or family member with a key;
a neighbour or friend holding a spare;
your landlord or property manager, who may hold a key;
your building manager or strata caretaker, for common-area doors.

Do not climb onto balconies, break windows or try to force a door. Injuries and damage often cost far more than a locksmith.

Find your identification

Any responsible locksmith will ask for reasonable proof that you live at or manage the property before opening the door. Useful items include:

a driver licence showing the address;
a lease, rates notice or utility bill (photos on your phone count);
confirmation from a property manager or building manager.

If everything is inside, that is fine. A good locksmith will open the door and check ID before leaving.

Work out what kind of lockout it is

The locksmith will ask, so it helps to know:

Keys inside, door latched behind you. Usually the simplest job.
Keys lost or stolen. Entry plus a likely rekey, because someone else may have them.
Key will not turn. Possibly a fault rather than a lockout.
Key snapped in the lock. See our guide on what to do when a key breaks in a lock.

What to tell the locksmith on the phone

The more clearly you describe things, the more accurate the advice. Have these ready:

Your address and suburb, plus any access issues such as a building intercom.
Which door: front door of a house, unit door, building entry, garage.
What type of lock, if you know: deadlock, deadlatch, knob lock.
Where your keys are: inside, lost, stolen, broken.
Whether anyone vulnerable is inside.
Whether you can show ID.

On our lockout service page you can see how we handle these calls.

What happens when the locksmith arrives

A typical lockout visit looks like this:

Confirmation of entitlement. We confirm you have a reasonable link to the property.
Assessment of the lock. We look at the type and condition of the lock.
Least destructive entry. Most standard residential locks can be opened without damage. Drilling is a last resort for high-security or damaged locks, and we explain it first.
ID check. If your ID was inside, we check it now.
Next steps. If keys were lost, we discuss rekeying so old keys stop working.

We will not publish or explain lock-bypass methods, here or anywhere else. That information helps the wrong people far more than the right ones.

Our hours, plainly

We operate from 7:00 AM to 12:00 AM, seven days a week. We are not a 24/7 service. If you are locked out after midnight, your options are a friend or family member with a key, your property manager's after-hours line, a 24-hour service, or, if anyone is at risk, emergency services. Our online quote form reaches us first thing in the morning.

We also do not promise arrival times we have not confirmed with you on the call. We give an honest estimate based on where we are.

Unit and apartment lockouts

Coogee has many apartment blocks, from interwar brick flats to new beachside buildings. Lockouts there have a few extra wrinkles:

Common entry doors belong to the owners corporation. We may need the building manager's agreement to open them.
Restricted key systems mean keys can only be cut through the system holder.
Fire-rated unit doors must keep their rating, which limits some methods.

If you are locked out of both the building and your unit, your building manager or strata caretaker is often the quickest first call.

Rental lockouts

If you rent, your landlord or agent may hold a spare key and may be able to help during business hours. If you call a locksmith, you will normally pay for the call-out yourself unless the lockout was caused by a fault in the lock.

If entry involves damaging a lock, you may need to tell your landlord and replace it with a lock they agree to. Our article on NSW landlord and tenant lock change rules explains the basics.

Lost keys: should you rekey?

If your keys were simply locked inside, you probably do not need to change anything. If they were lost or stolen, especially with something showing your address, the safe assumption is that someone else could use them.

Rekeying replaces the pins inside the lock so a new key works and the old ones do not. It is usually faster and cheaper than replacing the lock. Read more on our lock rekeying page.

How to avoid the next lockout

Leave a spare key with someone you trust nearby, rather than under a mat or pot plant.
Check self-latching doors. If your deadlatch locks every time it closes, build a habit of checking for keys before stepping out.
Beach routine. A zip pocket, a key clip on your board-short drawstring or a lockable key safe at home all help.
Service stiff locks early. A lock that is hard to turn will eventually refuse to open. Our lock repair service fixes most stiff locks.
Consider a keypad lock. For some households and rentals, a quality keypad lock with a mechanical backup removes the risk of a forgotten key.

Common mistakes to avoid

Forcing the door. Kicking or shouldering a door can break the frame, which costs far more than a locksmith.
Climbing to balconies or windows. People are injured every year doing this.
Using a credit card or wire on the latch. It rarely works on modern locks and can damage them.
Calling the first ad you see. Check that the business has a real local address. Our guide on what to ask before hiring a locksmith helps.

Lockouts by property type: quick reference

House. Check every other door and the garage first. A neighbour or family member with a spare is the fastest answer. If not, call a locksmith with your ID ready.

Walk-up unit. If you are locked out of the building as well, a neighbour may let you into the stairwell. Then the locksmith only needs to deal with your unit door.

New apartment building. Contact the building manager or concierge first, as they control fobs and restricted keys. A locksmith may be able to help with the unit door where the building allows it.

Rental. Try the landlord or agent during business hours. They may hold a spare.

Short-stay apartment. Contact the host or management company first. They usually have a backup key or code.

Shop or café. Check whether another staff member or the owner holds a key. If the lock has failed at closing time, tell the locksmith whether you need to get in or to secure the premises for the night.

What to do while you wait

Stay somewhere safe and visible, especially at night.
Keep your phone charged and available for the locksmith's call.
Gather any proof of address you can find on your phone.
If the weather is bad, wait in a café or with a neighbour rather than outside the door.
If your situation changes, for example someone with a key arrives, call the locksmith to let them know.

The honest summary

Stay safe, check every legitimate way in, have your ID ready, and describe the situation clearly when you call. Expect the locksmith to confirm you are entitled to enter and to use the least destructive method the lock allows. If keys were lost, consider rekeying.

If you are locked out in Coogee, South Coogee, Clovelly, Randwick or nearby between 7:00 AM and midnight, call Local Coogee Locksmith Service on 02 5023 1337. We are based at 186 Arden St, Coogee. You can also read about our emergency locksmith service or contact us.

Emergency Locksmith Coogee: Your Lockout Guide