Locked Out of Your Flat

Yes. When you call, let us know about both doors — the communal entrance and your own flat door — so our technician arrives equipped for both. Communal entrance hardware varies quite a bit across Kentish Town blocks, from older mortice-type locks to more modern entry systems, and knowing in advance means we bring the right tools and do not need to make a second trip.

Call 020 7871 7825 — we answer 24/7, including overnight, at weekends and on bank holidays. First, check whether a neighbour or family member holds a spare key. If that is not an option, do not attempt to force the door yourself, as this risks damaging the lock or the door frame and can make re-entry harder. Our trained technicians are used to late-night and early-morning call-outs across Kentish Town and surrounding areas, and we will confirm an exact quote before setting off so you are not left guessing about cost.

In most standard lockout situations, the police will not force entry on your behalf — that falls outside their remit unless there is an immediate welfare or safety concern, such as a vulnerable person believed to be in danger inside. For a routine flat lockout, a professional locksmith is the appropriate call. If you are ever in a genuine emergency where someone's safety is at risk, call 999 first, then contact us for the lock and door work once it is safe to do so.

Yes. As a tenant, you have the right to arrange emergency access to your own home. You do not need your landlord's permission to call a locksmith in an urgent lockout. We recommend keeping your receipt and a brief record of the work carried out, as this can support a conversation with your landlord or managing agent about the callout cost. If the lock was faulty or failed in a way that contributed to the lockout, that is also worth documenting in writing to them.

The final quote depends on a few factors: the type of lock and door involved (a 5-lever mortice deadlock and a multipoint uPVC mechanism require different approaches), the time of day (evenings, weekends and bank holidays are reflected in pricing), travel distance from our nearest technician, and whether any parts such as a replacement euro cylinder are needed. We confirm an exact price with you on the phone before anyone comes out — there are no surprises when we arrive.

Euro cylinder snapping is a known vulnerability in uPVC and composite doors, and sometimes the cylinder is damaged during a forced entry attempt or simply fails with age. If we find the cylinder is compromised when we open your door, we can fit a replacement on the same visit. We carry anti-snap cylinders that meet TS007 3-star standards, which also satisfies the requirement many home insurance policies have for a British Standard-grade lock. We will walk you through the options and confirm the cost before fitting anything.