Lost Your House Keys? Here’s What To Do Next

In the classic novel Right Ho, Jeeves (1934), the main character undertakes a nine-mile bicycle ride through the pitch-black countryside in search of his house key. 

If you’ve ever found yourself stranded outside your own home, staring blankly at a locked door, you know exactly how he felt.

Losing your keys can instantly transform a normal day into a frantic comedy of errors.

This guide gives you a step-by-step roadmap to staying calm, retracing your steps, and getting back inside (without the nine-mile bike ride).

Retrace your steps before calling for help

Before calling a locksmith, take a few moments to systematically check and think through the following:

• Retrace your steps to the exact time and place you last used your keys
• Check every pocket, bag, and coat you have with you, including hidden compartments
• Check if any of your neighbours have a spare. Call them or knock on their doors. If you are new to an area, the previous homeowner may have given them one.
• Phone each location you visited today, including shops, offices, or the lost-and-found desks of public transport.
• Speak with anyone you were with to check if they picked up your keys by mistake.
• If you are renting, call your landlord.

If you find your keys from this, you’ll save money on an expensive locksmith callout and door lock replacement.

How to get back into your home

If you can’t find a spare key, contact a professional locksmith. 

They will assess your door lock type and gain entry without damaging your door, usually within 15 to 30 minutes.

Choose a professional

Always ask to see the locksmith’s ID and request a clear price quote before work begins.

And find a vetted professional by searching the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) directory at mla.org.uk. 

MLA-registered locksmiths undergo background checks and practical training.

Should you change your locks?

You should change your locks if:

• You lost your keys alongside items that reveal your home address (driving licences, mail, or named loyalty cards, etc.).
• If you suspect they were stolen

And you should keep your existing locks if you are confident you lost them with no identifying details attached. If you are uncertain, then changing them is the safest option.

Key replacement and callout costs

Locksmith prices vary based on:

• Time of day
• Location
• Lock design.

In short, the combined total of call out and replacement fees will likely fall between £150 and £350. This can be broken down into the following.

Emergency callout fees

Gaining entry during normal working hours typically costs £75 to £150.

Evening, weekend, or bank holiday callouts cost between £100 and £250.

Lock replacement costs

Replacing a standard cylinder lock (a key-operated mechanism with a rotating inner plug) or a mortice lock (a lock fitted into a pocket cut into the door edge) ranges from £75 to £200. 

Upgrading to high-security options like anti-snap cylinders increases the total.

Check if your insurance covers you

Some home insurance policies and home emergency plans include locksmith cover. So, it’s worth checking before you pay out of your own pocket.

Simple ways to prevent losing keys again

Once you have resolved your immediate lockout, new habits will help prevent the chances of this home emergency re-occuring.

Keep house keys separate from personal documents to stop thieves from tracing misplaced keys to your home.

Cut a spare key and leave it with a trusted neighbour or family member.

Avoid hiding keys under doormats or plant pots. Many thieves are aware of this practice!

Install a wall-mounted key safe protected by a combination code. Select a model that conforms to BS 3621 (a British Standard for thief-resistant locks) if it’s required by your insurer.

Attach a Bluetooth key tracker or a bright, fluffy key fob to your keyring. The former will allow you to locate lost keys using your phone.

Get home emergency cover with Hometree

Our home emergency cover includes unlimited repairs, an annual boiler service, zero parts & labour charges, and 24/7 claims support to keep your home warm. Subject to exclusions and T&Cs apply.

You can get covered today or contact us for a free quote.