Locked Out? Why A Good Locksmith Asks You To Prove You Live There

By Author: Mike Hartley
Total Articles: 1
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When you are locked out of your house, the last thing you want is a question about whether you actually live there. But a locksmith who opens a door without asking is a locksmith who will open anyone's door, including yours, for a stranger who claims it is theirs.
What a locksmith usually asks for
Most locksmiths want to see something that ties you to the address before or right after the door is opened:
A driver's license or state ID showing the address.A lease, mortgage statement, or closing paperwork.A utility bill, bank statement, or other mail addressed to you at that address.Vehicle registration with the same address.
Many of these documents are, of course, inside the locked house. That is normal. A common approach is to open the door and then have you show ID or paperwork from inside before the locksmith leaves.
When your ID shows a different address
If you just moved, your license probably still has the old address. Bring up anything recent that shows the new one: a lease on your phone, a moving company invoice, a utility setup confirmation email, or a piece of mail. ...
... A neighbor or landlord who can confirm you live there also helps.
Renters
If you rent, your landlord or property manager may have a spare key, and many leases say they should be called first. Some landlords do not allow tenants to have locks changed or rekeyed without permission. If you need the locks changed after a lockout, check your lease or call the landlord first.
Cars
For vehicle lockouts and key replacement, expect to show your driver's license and the registration or title. The VIN on the registration should match the car. If the paperwork is locked inside the car, it can usually be checked once the door is open.
Why this protects you
The same check that feels like an inconvenience during your lockout is what stops someone else from calling a locksmith to your house while you are at work. When a locksmith skips it, that tells you something about how they run their business.
Make the next lockout easier
Keep a photo of your ID and lease or deed in your phone.Leave a spare key with someone you trust, not under the mat.If you have a keypad lock, keep its backup key somewhere other than inside the house.
About the author: Choice City Locksmith is a mobile locksmith in Fort Collins, Colorado, serving Northern Colorado since 1999. Open 5 AM to 9 PM daily, (970) 803-1100.