Where to hide a spare key or other options for when locked out

Mr Krinkle on 19/03/2022 - 14:59

I'm terrible at locking myself out.

When I live with someone else this isn't too much of an issue but now I'm living in an apartment on my own and not renting so I no longer have the option of relying on a partner or a real-estate agent for backup.

I've lived in my apartment for less than 3 months and have already locked myself out. Thankfully I'd given a spare key to a friend for this very situation and when it was required they were thankfully reachable and available. This wont always be the case.

So my options to avoid a costly locksmith call out:

Keep a spare key at work (Will need someone to
Install a keyless lock
Stash a key somewhere in the complex
Attach a spare key to the dogs leash and keep one in the car
Leave a key with the neighbours

What are your suggestions?

Home & Garden

Comments

    • Mr Krinkle on 19/03/2022 - 15:12
      +2

      I saw the August smart lock. Looks like it would work if I remember my phone.

      I have no experience with smart-locks and have concerns regarding security.

      • dizzle on 19/03/2022 - 16:31
        +21

        and have concerns regarding security.

        Yet two of the options are: Stash a key somewhere in the complex, and leave a key with neighbours.
        Both of which are less secure than an electric lock. It's not like someone will find the passcode lying under a rock in the complex….Or is it?

        • Parentheses on 20/03/2022 - 21:55

          Electronic locks are typically far less secure than you might think. They are usually designed and manufactured by tech companies, not lock companies.

          • dizzle on 21/03/2022 - 01:39
            +1

            @Parentheses: Less secure than leaving a key under a rock nearby? Or less secure than leaving it with a neighbour you don't know well (I'm assuming that if OP was already freindly with their neighbours then that wouldn't have been the fifth of the five options they had already thought of)

            In my sight it's more about random break-ins are mostly about opportunity. If someones walking past and thinks they'll find a key lying around (or the neighbour is less trustworthy that originally thought), then they'll do that.
            If it's a planned break-in then key or code, they are more likely to break the lock rather than pick/hack it.

            • Parentheses on 21/03/2022 - 02:19
              +3

              @dizzle: Yes, less secure than that. A solid % of electronic locks can be defeated with a molybdenum (rare earth) magnet. They use a solenoid that works as a magnet to retract the bolt, so you just thwack the magnet to where the bolt is and you're in.

              A key left under a rock is more secure than nearly any other backup plan IF you only ever use the key in an emergency. Use the key regularly and someone snooping will see you put it back there, obviously. The neighbour is less smart, but if you trust them and back that up with a camera inside they aren't likely to do anything, and if they do you know who they are and where they live.

              Random breaks-ins are rarely about opportunity in the immediate sense. The thieves will case the place (and others) over a couple of days, and hit the ones that look like they are the juiciest. Due to info sharing in prison they quickly learn the ins and outs of doing so effectively. An electronic lock is going to scream 'I have expensive things inside', and they will know the molybdenum trick.

              • opt on 21/03/2022 - 15:57
                +3

                @Parentheses: AFAIK the magnet bypass only works on mains powered commercial locks that use a relay inside the keypad to trigger the lock mechanism or has an electro magnet, but doesn’t work with battery operated consumer locks that use a tiny DC motor to move the deadbolt like the ones from Samsung, Yale etc..

      • Kangal on 20/03/2022 - 15:55

        Why don't you keep a spare House Key inside your car's glove box, and keep the spare Car Key inside your nightstand's love box?

        • Daabido on 20/03/2022 - 18:58
          +13

          Sounds painful.

      • urzu on 20/03/2022 - 20:08
        +1

        I can vouch for the Eufy smart lock. Easy to install and works with either fingerprint, pin, phone or good old key. I think it terms of security; if anyone really wants to break in, they can anyway. The idea is to make a break in at your home less appealing and easy than your neighbour's…

      • kfcfatfat on 20/03/2022 - 22:17
        +2

        Maybe a key rock? Or just get a rock and carve a hole to fit your key?

        https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/sandleford….

    • frewer on 21/03/2022 - 09:01

      2 paper clip bruh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lQJlWmR1Ko

    • HeWhoKnows on 21/03/2022 - 20:46

      Under the front door mat or the pot plant next to it.

  • holdenmg on 19/03/2022 - 15:10
    +7

    Get a Key Safe for $17.99 and put spare keys innit…
    https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/special-buys-sat-19-…

    • Mr Krinkle on 19/03/2022 - 15:13
      +29

      I could pick that quicker than my nose

      • holdenmg on 19/03/2022 - 15:26
        +12

        Stay classy Mr Krinkle…

      • timthetoolman on 19/03/2022 - 15:36
        +160

        If you're clever enough to pick a lock, you should be clever enough not to continually lock yourself out of your house

      • jonagrah on 19/03/2022 - 15:52
        +13

        That's why you hide the key safe under a fake rock.

      • p1 ama on 19/03/2022 - 19:06
        +1

        If you're concerned someone can pick this, they can equally easily pick your front door lock.

        • banana365 on 21/03/2022 - 01:46

          You don't need to be clever to pick a combination lock if you have time. If you are clever it can be done in seconds. Keyed locks typically require more skill and more time.

      • JimmyF on 19/03/2022 - 20:59
        +12

        Rocks also work really well at opening 'windows', so what is your point?

        I have a key safe outside near the front door.

        My view is kinda of like this, if you're going to break in and can crack the keysafe open and use the key, then be my guest!!! I would rather them do that than smash a window etc. Years ago I got broken in, it was a pain. They broke the window frame, stole some things etc. The window frame costed way more to replace/get fixed compared to getting a new set of keys and screwing in a new key safe on the wall if they went in that way.

        Locks only keep honest people out.

        • od810 on 21/03/2022 - 12:27

          Yup i completely agree, it's so easy to break in most houses. Plenty of airbnb property get away with key safetybox, i don't see why it doesn't work for most people. The idea is to make it slightly harder, I always left my backroom unlock, in case i forget the key i just jump the fence.

      • smartazz104 on 20/03/2022 - 16:04
        +2

        Probably just as well, I expect that you’d forget the combination anyway.

        • CocaKoala on 21/03/2022 - 16:41
          +2

          you’d forget the combination anyway.

          This is why I write down the combination and store it under a rock.

      • FloatingPoint on 22/03/2022 - 11:55

        Then just hide a lock picking kit under the carpet.

  • HairyChickens on 19/03/2022 - 15:12
    +9

    Under the floor mat

    • Mr Krinkle on 19/03/2022 - 15:14
      -2

      I'm hoping to maintain a certain level of security.

      • brendanm on 19/03/2022 - 15:33
        +42

        Then stop locking yourself out, and you'll have no issues. Simplest solution.

      • Lord Fart Bucket on 20/03/2022 - 18:06
        +5

        I'm hoping to maintain a certain level of security.

        Put the floor mate in the house. Sorted. Noone will get to it.

      • lousy on 20/03/2022 - 23:48
        +1

        Stick it to the bottom of your council rubbish bin

        • Euphemistic on 21/03/2022 - 11:36
          +3

          So the neighbours can see where you key hides when the council truck lifts the bin? Or worse, when you bin is left lying on its side after emptying.

  • MS Paint on 19/03/2022 - 15:16
    +2

    Get one of these from Bunnings

    • Hellcrusher3304 on 19/03/2022 - 16:09
      +7

      Yes, very decorative to have a rock outside an apartment.

      • MS Paint on 19/03/2022 - 16:14
        +21

        OP can establish a rock garden with the other residents in a communal area. Then every other resident can hide their key also.

        • holdenmg on 19/03/2022 - 16:15
          +13

          Or just put their keys in a bowl… lol

        • CocaKoala on 21/03/2022 - 16:42
          +6

          OP can establish a rock garden with the other residents in a communal area. Then every other resident can hide their key also.

          Better paint the flat numbers on the rocks to avoid confusion.

      • cadwalader on 21/03/2022 - 16:14

        Just buy a pail of these and put the rock-key-safe at the bottom of the pail.

        https://www.bunnings.com.au/mother-earth-1m3-50mm-oriental-s…

  • SnowDragon on 19/03/2022 - 15:17

    Are you renting or do you own the apartment? If the latter just get a biometric reader lock. If the former you're SOOL for anything practical

  • El cheepo on 19/03/2022 - 15:18
    +2

    Somewhere in the complex out of the way and discreet no where near your door. Eg: outside in a matchbox buried in the garden.

    If you need to use that key, choose a new spot for next time.

  • djones145 on 19/03/2022 - 15:18
    +9

    under the sole of ur shoe

  • Ghost47 on 19/03/2022 - 15:18
    +6

    What do you always carry with you when you go out? Phone? Wallet?

    You can get phone cases that fit a key in them, or at least you were able to a while ago for the iPhone 4S. Otherwise put one in your wallet?

    • capslock janitor on 21/03/2022 - 15:31

      You can get phone cases that fit a key in them,

      i gotta see.

  • trex on 19/03/2022 - 15:21
    +1

    If you are close to a neighbour, pass a spare key to them to hold onto.

  • nephilim on 19/03/2022 - 15:23
    +4

    https://whitemarket.info/products/transparent-platform-shoes…

    put your keys in the bottom

    • Loopholio on 20/03/2022 - 08:28
      +12

      Instructions unclear. Now I'm walking funny..

  • gimli on 19/03/2022 - 15:36
    +5

    Maybe change the locks to something you have to use the key to open/lock the door?

    I used locked my self out a couple of times in my old unit where it was automatic locking door. But current place you need to use the key to both open and lock the door so basically zero-chance of forgetting key.

    • Mr Krinkle on 19/03/2022 - 15:54
      +1

      That's a good idea. What about fire safety? Are you able to unlock it without the key from the inside?

      • gimli on 19/03/2022 - 16:01
        +1

        good question.
        never thought about fire safety(yikes! scary now that I think about it)

        Anyways to be precise. I have two doors wooden one and a metal grill door. The metal door you can lock/unlock from inside without key but you need the key to lock it from outside. So a lock system like that would be fine from fire safety perspective too.

        The wood door has oldish lock system which you need the key to unlock from inside so it is dangerous. We generally don't lock it (more out of laziness. Never thought about fire safety 😬😬

      • Euphemistic on 20/03/2022 - 08:02
        +3

        You can put a key on a chain/string inside near the door for fire safety.

      • ausdday on 20/03/2022 - 15:42
        +5

        https://www.bunnings.com.au/lockwood-stainless-steel-paradig…

        I used one of this. Knob to lock/unlock from inside. Only keys from outside.

  • tebbybabes on 19/03/2022 - 15:42
    +1

    Hide a spare key… So you're leaning into security via obscurity. IMHO, not the best form of security, but it can and does work to a degree.

    • If you have lots of plants somewhere, a flat rock with your key taped under it.

    • taping it the the underside top of the mail box, out from view

    • PVC pipe in ground. Make it look like a random installation.

    Admittedly, a keyless lock, sounds like a good bet for you. I prefer the ones with keypads instead of a phone, but they also have their own pros and cons.

    Good luck

    • pharkurnell on 19/03/2022 - 16:12
      +2

      I prefer the ones with keypads instead of a phone

      Come home, locked out with no key, pissin rain, phones flat… give up

  • Godric on 19/03/2022 - 15:46
    +3

    Dig a hole some where and bury it

  • pharkurnell on 19/03/2022 - 16:13

    Im not as good as OP on picking locks, but also looking for a decent solution to this issue.

  • yellowfever on 19/03/2022 - 16:19
    +2

    Give it a neighbour who is 80+
    But be prepared they can forget just like you.

  • fantombloo on 19/03/2022 - 16:45
    +4

    Two of my neighbours have my key and I have theirs. We all have kids and it's been useful numerous times when the kids come home early, etc. Also great for when someone goes on holidays as we can attend to each other's emergencies if need be.

    • Mr Krinkle on 19/03/2022 - 16:58

      I think this will be a suitable option. As I'm new to the building I'm not too eager to distribute keys yet, but over time I'm sure there will be some who I can trust. Attending to the apartment in an emergency is also a plus

      • darkmattersunB6c0MV on 20/03/2022 - 15:59
        +2

        Give the neighbours the keys, but hide a few bodies in the apartment, just to see if they dare something sneaky.
        What… Wait…I was talking about fake bodies 🤦‍♂️

  • SF3 on 19/03/2022 - 16:56
    +6

    Where to hide a spare key

    Wear them as your necklace.

  • Hybroid on 19/03/2022 - 18:19

    I keep a spare front door key hidden in the car and one in the fold inside my wallet. Daily keys are in front pocket as per usual.

  • Mokr on 19/03/2022 - 18:31

    Hide it in some area or park near you under a rock in zip lock.

  • SlowCarSlow on 19/03/2022 - 18:35
    +1

    Stick one on your phone that requires proper effort to get out. Like you don't want to use it, but if you lock yourself out the 20 seconds it takes to get it out will remind you not to do it again.

  • PizzaBoy on 19/03/2022 - 19:40
    +1

    If it’s an apartment you likely need a fire rated lock. If you go digital you have a few options:

    The two that I’d recommend are:
    - Schlage Omnia (mortise lock)
    - Yale Unity

    Both have apps to control them and provide access if you somehow forget your pin/fob, and can program timed access and provide a log.

    Smart lock is definitely the way though.

  • mitt on 19/03/2022 - 19:53
    +1

    I just cut multiple spares & handed them out to a few friends/family & keep one in the car.

    Between 3 people & the car I can be pretty sure I can get my hands on at least 1 quickly.

  • Marcsie on 19/03/2022 - 20:05
    -2

    lol

  • ihbh on 19/03/2022 - 20:33

    Attach a spare key to the dogs leash

    Not if you lock them inside during the day.

    Get a gnome and put it outside your door… put key under said gnome.

    Or replace gnome with fake dog poo… and you know the drill.

    • Mr Krinkle on 19/03/2022 - 21:34
      +3

      The leash not the collar. It's so when I walk the dog the key is there.

  • apple2016 on 19/03/2022 - 20:35

    Install a keyless lock

    This is best but could be bit expensive up front

    • gromit on 20/03/2022 - 11:03
      +3

      cheaper than calling a locksmith!

  • Davo1111 on 19/03/2022 - 21:33
    +6

    Put key in glad wrap, get some gaffa tape, and put it somewhere nobody will ever find, or can link it to you.

    Example, fire hydrant, carpark fence, gas meter etc.

    • endotherm on 19/03/2022 - 22:22
      +7

      +1 for this. Security through obscurity.

      I get a small zip lock bag, just enough to waterproof it. Now walk 5 or 6 houses up the street and bury it in their front lawn close to the fence so you can get to it without making a scene. You could even pick a nature strip, and select say 100mm in and 150mm from the edge, so you can find it later. Pick somewhere that people aren't liable to dig up or do edge trimming on. You'd just need enough to puncture a slit in the ground around 100mm deep, perhaps from the blade of a knife. Slip your baggie in there and nobody will be the wiser. If someone does find it they will have no idea where it is from or what it opens. They might ask one or two neighbours to the side, but are unlikely to ask very far away.

      It's probably best to bury it at night or in the evening when there aren't too many prying eyes about.

      • Lurk Hartog on 20/03/2022 - 12:51
        +4

        lol wut

        • WhyAmICommenting on 21/03/2022 - 10:02

          This guy must have a great memory. I would lose crap all over the place using this method.

          Not sure why he needs spare keys…

      • cookie2 on 23/03/2022 - 07:47

        Good idea. But you'll never know if it is missing, until you actually need it.

        • endotherm on 23/03/2022 - 08:01

          Just bury another backup key somewhere else. It's just a couple of dollars to get one cut. The idea is to pick somewhere obscure that isn't likely to get torn up and re-developed. Most of the nature strips in my street haven't changed in decades, and probably for decades before that. It's mainly if there is a new driveway going in or if they have to tear up the crappy footpath, or they have to rip up water pipes if you're really unlucky. Not a very common occurrence. Just keep an eye open for changes around your hidey-hole and relocate it if necessary.

    • Hansi on 20/03/2022 - 14:59
      +3

      That's what we do.

      Hide it in a public place not too far from your home (blu tag under a bench or get some ideas from geocaching). That way the key can't be linked to your home and people will think you're a secret spy if anyone ever sees you picking it up.

      • Euphemistic on 21/03/2022 - 11:38

        And follow you to your door after seeing you pick it up?

        • Hansi on 21/03/2022 - 22:29

          Does anyone hang around a public place to wait for someone to use an unknown dead drop? You shouldn't stash it in the same place again after your dead drop has been used / discovered - this technique more for emergencies than everyday use as it's impractical compared to hiding a key around your home.

  • John Kimble on 19/03/2022 - 21:40
    +4

    In my old age I have developed the opposite problem, have left my front door wide open a few times all day by accident. 😭

    Before this, we did lock ourselves out of our new unit a few times within a few weeks of moving in also. I installed a door stopper thing like this on my security door, not only does it stop the security door banging loudly when being flung open by the kids, a spare key fits in there perfectly…but when I have had to use it, I have had to be super cautious to ensure the neighbours don't notice me taking it out/putting it back in…

    Also means I can't/don't lock my security door…I suppose I could put the security door key in the door stopper too…

    On a side note, one time I saw a surfer (somehow) stick his car key under his back right wheel arch and walk off for a surf…he clearly saw me see him…but that didn't stop him…🤷🏻‍♂️

  • crentist on 19/03/2022 - 22:31
    +5

    There's a simple way to stash a key almost anywhere. A few years ago my friends were catching a plane, and one of them had forgotten about a pocket knife in their bag, which obv didn't get through security. But rather than dump it, they walked outside the airport, buried the knife, and collected it a week later when they returned

    • TEER3X on 20/03/2022 - 19:42
      +5

      In the dirt outside an airport, got it.

      • greatlamp on 20/03/2022 - 23:11

        I did the same with a pair of nail clippers. Just look in the gardens outside domestic outbound.

        • CocaKoala on 21/03/2022 - 16:54

          Lol wut. Bury stuff in the garden at the airport looking all suspicious. Next thing you know, the federal police and you are in a room without windows and your flight is long gone by the time they realise you're not a threat. It's not like you could throw away nail clippers and order another one in for like $20.

  • ihbh on 19/03/2022 - 22:49
    +6

    Put a pair of old shoes outside your door. Hide the key under the insert.

    1. People will think you're home.

    2. No one will flog a pair of old shoes.

    • Miss B on 20/03/2022 - 12:06
      +3

      If there's someone you trust on a different floor, better still, leave your shoes/key outside their door and they can outside yours. If someone happens to find it they still can't get in.

    • suzley on 20/03/2022 - 13:35

      Cockatoos take shoes left outside, old or new!

      • ihbh on 20/03/2022 - 13:48

        OP lives in an apartment.

        • 811b11e8 on 21/03/2022 - 10:12
          +1

          Body corporate might steal them. It happened in my apartment they considered them a tripping hazard collected them all, and gave you 1 hour on Friday afternoon to collect them before they turfed them.

    • Lomax on 21/03/2022 - 09:13

      Someone raided my old shoes and slippers (used when I'm doing some gardening) I kept outside the house - twice! (I keep the good one inside). Can't sent thank you card for clearing all of them since they didn't leave any address :D

  • pegaxs on 19/03/2022 - 23:00

    Magnetic key case and stick it up under your car somewhere you can get to. Or get a blank ID card, cut out a shape the key fits into, tape it up under something. (I would say put it in your wallet, but if you are leaving keys inside, chances are, you are leaving your wallet in there as well.)

  • bargainHunterOz on 20/03/2022 - 07:34
    +2

    One of the portable key storage lock attached to any railing in apartment car park. To be safer, do not write apartment number on this and be anonymous.

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/master-lock-portable-key-storage…

    • maximum on 20/03/2022 - 23:06

      There are heaps of these on railings near my sons apartment - likely for air bnbs. I would get him one if he didn't have anyone trustworthy nearby to leave a key with. I would hate to have to rush from 2 hours away just for a key. I have a similar thing but it just sits in my fuse box. So handy except for when my son is too lazy to put it back and you don't realise until someone goes to get the key.

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