What should you do first if you're locked out of your apartment?
Check the easy things before you call anyone. Try every door, including a patio or balcony slider you may have left unlatched, and make sure a roommate, partner or family member isn't home with a key. If your complex uses a keypad, a phone app or a fob, look there too. If you have an on-site office or a property manager, a quick call may get you a spare or a master key from them, and when that's available it is usually the more economical route.
If none of that works, call us at (213) 577-1366. Someone answers around the clock, every day of the year, which is the whole point of a 24-hour locksmith. The first things we'll ask are what kind of door you have, whether the lock is a knob, a deadbolt or both, and whether the building is gated or has a secured entry. Those answers tell us what to bring and whether we need to loop in your management before we start.
One thing to know up front: we verify that you actually live in the unit before we open the door. At one in the morning it can feel like an obstacle, but it is the same protection that keeps a stranger from talking their way into your home. If you're locked out of an apartment with nothing in your pockets, we'll tell you over the phone what documents or alternatives can work.
What does an apartment or condo lockout actually involve?
An apartment lockout is not the same job as locking yourself out of a house, even though the door looks similar. Apartment and condo doors tend to be solid-core or metal-clad, fitted tightly into the frame, and often carry a keyed knob or lever plus a deadbolt. Some buildings run master-keyed hardware so management can enter, which changes what the cylinder looks like and how it behaves. Condos add another layer: an HOA or association may control the hardware on exterior doors, and the building may have shared entries, gates or garage access that sit outside your unit's lock entirely.
The reasons people end up locked out also vary, and the reason affects the fix. The common ones we see described over the phone:
- Keys left inside and the door pulled shut behind you
- Keys lost somewhere outside the building, so the lock needs attention afterward as well
- A deadbolt thrown from inside by someone else, such as a roommate or guest
- A key that snapped in the cylinder, which is its own job; see our page on broken key extraction
- A lock that has worn, jammed or stopped turning smoothly
- A door that has swollen or stuck in its frame so the latch won't release
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366How do we handle an apartment lockout, step by step?
We keep the process the same every time so you know what to expect, even though the lock in front of us is different every time.
- You call (213) 577-1366 and give us the address, the type of building and what happened. We note whether there's a deadbolt, a gate or keypad, and whether anyone from management can be reached.
- We work out the access with you. In buildings with secured entries or tight parking, we ask exactly how to reach your door so we aren't guessing at the curb.
- When we arrive, we ask for photo ID and something tying you to the unit: a lease, a utility bill, mail, or a note from management. Without a link between you and the address, we can't open the door.
- We look at the lock and the door before touching either. The lock type, its condition and how the door sits in the frame decide the method.
- We try non-destructive entry first, such as picking, bypass tools or working the latch. We move to anything more invasive only if the lock is damaged or has failed, and we tell you before we do.
- Once you're in, we test the lock and your key. If the key sticks or the cylinder is worn, we explain your options rather than leave you with a door that will lock you out again next week.
- We explain the work and what shaped the cost before you pay, and we leave you with a door that locks and unlocks properly.
When does building management need to be involved?
Often, and it helps to sort this out early. If you rent, check your lease for the language on locks. Many leases require management's permission before a lock is changed, replaced or added, and some buildings want a copy of any new key. Opening your own door with a locksmith is generally a different matter from altering the hardware, but if your building has a policy, we would rather work with it than around it.
In a condo, the association may care about exterior door hardware, and some communities have rules about what can be installed or changed. If your lockout reveals that the lock needs replacing, a short call to management or the HOA before we swap anything saves you an argument later.
We are comfortable making that coordination call alongside you. We can confirm with an on-site manager that you live in the unit, find out whether a master key is available, and note anything the building requires, such as a copy of a new key for the office. Property owners who manage several units can also read about locksmith service for landlords, which covers the ongoing side of this: turnover, lost tenant keys and building-wide consistency.
If management can't be reached, don't assume we're stuck. Tell us what you can show us, and we'll tell you honestly whether we can proceed.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366What affects the cost of an apartment lockout?
We don't quote numbers on a web page because the real job isn't known until we hear about your door. What we can do is tell you exactly what moves the cost, so nothing on the invoice surprises you.
- Time of day. Nights, weekends and holidays take us away from other commitments, and the cost reflects that.
- Lock and door type. A standard knob lock is a different task from a high-security cylinder, a restricted keyway or a smart lock with a keypad and electronic components.
- Condition of the lock. A worn or corroded lock can resist normal entry methods and may need more time or, in some cases, replacement.
- Whether the lock has to be replaced or rekeyed afterward. Getting you inside and fixing the lock are separate pieces of work.
- Access and distance. Our storefront is in Westwood and our vans are mobile, so how far we travel and how hard your door is to reach both play a role.
- Extra parts. If the lockout involves a broken key, a failed deadbolt or damaged strike plate, the repair adds to the opening.
What's different about apartment lockouts in Manhattan Beach?
Manhattan Beach is overwhelmingly single-family housing, so apartments, condos and townhomes are the exception, and they cluster in particular places. Townhomes and condos are concentrated toward Rosecrans Avenue and the north end of town. Manhattan Village, near the Manhattan Village Shopping Center, is a gated condominium and townhome community in ZIP code 90266, where a lockout can involve two separate problems: getting through the community gate and opening your own unit door. We deal with your door; the gate usually runs through your association or management, so it helps to have their number handy.
In El Porto, we hear about apartment and duplex lockouts near Highland Avenue. Those buildings are close to the water, and the data we have on the area is clear that beachfront exposure matters: salt air steadily corrodes exterior lock hardware, especially along The Strand and in the Sand Section. A deadbolt that has been fighting salt air for years can turn stiff, bind or fail, which is sometimes the real reason a key suddenly won't work. If your unit is near the beach and the lock has felt rough lately, mention that when you call.
The marine layer is another local factor. Persistent dampness can swell wood doors and stick latches, particularly in older cottages and converted units. If you live in a duplex or a converted cottage in the Sand Section, where walk-streets make parking and access tight, tell us the best way to reach your door. Our mobile locksmith vans come to you, but a narrow walk-street still needs a plan.
If it turns out you're in a single-family home or a house split into units, our house lockout page covers that situation. Neighborhoods like the Tree, Hill and East sections are mostly houses, but we still get asked about them when someone has a guest unit or a granny flat.
Locked out or need a locksmith now?
We answer around the clock, every day of the year.
Call (213) 577-1366Why call Wilshire Lock & Key for an apartment lockout?
We've been in business since 1987, and David, the owner and lead technician, oversees our work. That means the person who built the company's way of doing things is the one who sets the standard for how it gets done, not a dispatcher you'll never meet.
We're one company. When you call (213) 577-1366, you reach us, not a call center that sells your job to whichever subcontractor picks it up. We have a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood, plus mobile vans, and we serve 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, Manhattan Beach included.
A sensible thing to do with any locksmith is ask for their California BSIS LCO license number. California requires locksmith companies to hold that license, and you are entitled to ask. Ask us too, and ask any company that arrives at your door.
We also tell you when the cheaper-sounding path isn't the right one. If a lock can be opened without damage, we do that. If it is failing, we say so, explain what to do next, and leave the decision with you.
How do you stop it happening again after you're back inside?
Once the door is open, take a few minutes to deal with the cause. If you lost your keys somewhere outside, anyone who finds them may know where you live, and rekeying your locks is the usual fix. If the lock itself is worn, corroded or sticking, lock replacement may make more sense than another repair. Check your lease or HOA rules first, since either may have a say.
If your building allows it, and your door is a good candidate, a keypad or smart lock removes the problem of a key left on a counter. It does bring its own considerations, such as batteries and management approval, and we'll explain them honestly instead of selling you on it.
A few cheap habits help, too. Leave a spare with a trusted neighbor or friend, not under the mat. Photograph your key's code if your building allows it. And keep management's after-hours number saved in your phone.
Frequently asked questions
Can you open my apartment door if I'm not on the lease?
It depends on what you can show us. We need to connect you to the unit, and a lease is the easiest way, but a utility bill, mail, a note from management or confirmation from the on-site manager can also work. If we can't establish that you live there, we can't open the door, and we'll tell you what the options are.
Do I have to tell my landlord or building manager before you open the door?
Not always, but it's often smart. Opening your own door is different from changing the lock, and many leases require permission for changes. If your building has a manager on site, a quick call can also help us confirm you live there, and may get you a master key without a locksmith at all.
Will you damage my door or lock?
We try non-destructive entry first, using picking, bypass tools or latch work. If the lock is already damaged, corroded or has failed, a gentler method may not be possible, and we tell you before we do anything more invasive. Near the beach, salt air can wear locks down, so it's worth mentioning if yours has felt rough.
What ID do I need for an apartment lockout?
Bring photo ID, and something tying you to the address, such as a lease, a utility bill, or a piece of mail. If your ID shows a different address, a note from management can fill the gap. If you're locked out without any of it, call us and we'll talk through what's workable.
I live in a gated condo community like Manhattan Village. Can you get me through the gate?
We open your unit door. The community gate generally runs through your association or management, so you'll want to arrange entry with them, or meet us at the gate. Tell us when you call that the building is gated and we'll plan the access with you.
How much does an apartment lockout cost?
We don't give numbers over a web page, because the cost depends on the time of day, the lock and door type, the condition of the lock, whether any replacement or rekeying is needed, and how far we travel. Call (213) 577-1366, describe your door, and we'll explain what applies before we start.
How quickly can you get to Manhattan Beach?
We answer the phone 24 hours a day, every day, and send a mobile van. Our storefront is in Westwood, about 17 miles from Manhattan Beach, so travel is real, and traffic matters. We won't promise a figure we can't control, but we'll tell you honestly what to expect when you call.
My key snapped in the lock. Is that the same as a lockout?
It's related but a separate job. A broken key has to be extracted from the cylinder before the lock can work properly, and sometimes the door needs opening as well. Tell us what happened when you call so we bring the right tools.
Should I rekey my apartment lock after being locked out?
Only if your keys are lost or may be in someone else's hands. If you simply left them inside, you probably don't need to. If they're missing, rekeying is usually the lighter-cost way to restore your security, but check your lease or HOA rules first.
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Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.
Last updated 2026-10-11.