What to Do If You’ve Lost Your House Keys

Before changing your locks, check the places you have recently visited and contact any businesses or transport services where you may have left your keys.

If you have a spare key with a trusted person, you may be able to get into your home while you decide what to do next.

Consider whether someone could identify your address

If your keys were lost alongside something containing your name or address, such as a wallet, driving licence or paperwork, there is a greater security risk.

In this situation, it may be sensible to have the locks changed as soon as possible.

What if someone finds the keys?

Even if you believe your keys were simply dropped, you cannot know who may have found them.

If you are concerned that someone could use the keys to access your property, replacing the lock can give you peace of mind.

Do you need new keys or a new lock?

If you still have a spare key, you may not need a replacement lock simply because one key has been lost.

However, if you are concerned that the lost key could be used to enter your property, a locksmith can replace or rekey the appropriate lock.

The best option depends on the type of lock installed and your individual circumstances.

What should you do next?

If you have lost your keys and are unable to get into your property, a locksmith can help you regain entry and assess the lock.

If security is your concern, explain what has happened so the locksmith can advise whether the lock should be replaced or rekeyed.

Once the situation has been resolved, consider keeping a spare key with someone you trust to make future lockouts less stressful.