Locked Out in London? What To Do Right Now
A calm, step-by-step guide for when you're locked out of your home in London — and when to call an emergency locksmith.
1. Stay safe first
If it's late, cold or you feel unsafe, move somewhere lit and public — a café, a neighbour's, a shop doorway. Your door can wait a few minutes; your safety can't.
2. Check the easy options
Is a back door, patio door or window unlocked? Does a flatmate, partner, landlord or neighbour have a spare key? Never climb or force a window — it's how people get hurt and how doors get damaged.
3. Don't try DIY tricks
Credit cards, screwdrivers and YouTube hacks rarely work on modern euro cylinders or multi-point uPVC locks, and they often damage the door frame — turning a simple lockout into an expensive repair.
4. Call an emergency locksmith
A professional 24 hour locksmith can usually open the door without drilling. Give your full postcode, describe the door (wooden, uPVC, composite) and the lock, and ask for a price and arrival time before they set off. London Locksmith 24h: 020 3372 4688.
5. Have ID ready
A reputable locksmith will ask for proof you live there once the door is open — a bill, driving licence or tenancy agreement inside the property is fine.