24/7 lockouts
Lost keys and
lockouts
Locked out or lost your keys? Call any time, day or night. A local locksmith is usually with you in 30 to 60 minutes and opens the door without damage wherever we can.
- MLA member
- Fully insured
- Open 24/7
- Card, cash, Clearpay or Klarna
Quick answer
Do I need to change my locks if I lose my keys?
Not always. If nothing with your address was with the keys, new keys are usually enough. If they were stolen with your bag or wallet, or someone you do not trust has a copy, change the cylinder the same day.
Checked November 2026 by East London Locksmith Ltd, a Master Locksmiths Association member.
Fault finder
Locked out? What usually happens next
Find what is happening to you. If it is not here, call us and describe it: we will tell you what it needs and what it will cost.
Tap what is happening to see the usual cause and fix.
| What you notice | Usually the cause | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Door shut behind you | The nightlatch has caught on its own. | Usually opened without damage in minutes. |
| Keys lost on the way home | Nothing showed your address. | We let you in and cut spare keys. Your locks can stay. |
| Keys stolen with your bag | Whoever has them may know where you live. | We let you in and change the cylinders on the same visit. |
| Key will not go in or turn | A bent key or something in the keyway. | We clear the lock or open it, then test it with you. |
| Locked out of the shop or office | Lost or forgotten keys, or a failed lock. | Opened, and a new lock or keys the same day. |
Door shut behind you
Usually: The nightlatch has caught on its own.
Usually opened without damage in minutes.
Keys lost on the way home
Usually: Nothing showed your address.
We let you in and cut spare keys. Your locks can stay.
Keys stolen with your bag
Usually: Whoever has them may know where you live.
We let you in and change the cylinders on the same visit.
Key will not go in or turn
Usually: A bent key or something in the keyway.
We clear the lock or open it, then test it with you.
Locked out of the shop or office
Usually: Lost or forgotten keys, or a failed lock.
Opened, and a new lock or keys the same day.
Lockouts and lost keys
What we do
We open the door without damage wherever we can. If your keys were stolen or had your address on them, we can change the locks on the same visit.
- Home and flat lockouts
- Shop and office lockouts
- Lost or stolen keys
- Keys locked inside
- Lock changes on the same visit
- Spare keys cut to match
What is included
- Price agreed on the phone before we set off
- Non-destructive entry tried first
- Locks changed on the same visit if your keys were stolen
- Spare keys cut to match
- Card, cash, Clearpay or Klarna
Lost keys
New keys, new cylinder or new lock?
Three options, from cheapest to most work. We tell you honestly which one you need.
| Option | What it means | When it is right |
|---|---|---|
| New keys only | We let you in and cut spare keys. Your locks stay as they are. | Keys lost with nothing that shows your address. |
| New cylinder | The part the key goes into is swapped, so old keys stop working. Usually 20 to 40 minutes a door. | Keys stolen, or someone you do not trust still has one. |
| New lock | The whole lock is replaced. | The lock is worn, damaged or below the standard your insurer asks for. |
Good to know
Lost your keys: do you need new locks?
What we tell customers on the phone every day.
- Lost, nothing showed your addressYou can usually keep your locks. We let you in and cut new keys.
- Stolen with your bag or walletChange the locks today. Whoever has them may know where you live.
- An ex-partner or old tenant has a keyChange the cylinder. It takes 20 to 40 minutes on most doors.
- You are not sureAsk us. We will tell you honestly, and the price, before we set off.
Good to knowLost your keys: do you need new locks?
- Lost, nothing showed your addressYou can usually keep your locks. We let you in and cut new keys.
- Stolen with your bag or walletChange the locks today. Whoever has them may know where you live.
- An ex-partner or old tenant has a keyChange the cylinder. It takes 20 to 40 minutes on most doors.
- You are not sureAsk us. We will tell you honestly, and the price, before we set off.
Four simple steps
How it works
7 days a week
- Check the easy thingsPockets, bags, the last place you were, and anyone who has a spare key.
- Call usTell us where you are. We give you the price and an arrival time.
- We check it is your homeWe ask for ID or proof of address before or just after we open the door.
- You are back inWe open the door and change the lock too if your keys could be used.
Prices
Supplied and fitted prices
All prices are supplied and fitted: the lock, fitting and labour, with no hidden extras. We confirm your price on the call before we come out.
Euro cylinders
On most uPVC and composite doors, and many wooden ones.- Kitemarked 1-star cylinder, usually with 5 keys
- from £95
- Kitemarked 3-star anti-snap cylinder
- from £130
Nightlatches
The latch lock on many wooden front doors.- Nightlatch barrel (5-pin) replacement
- from £75
- Nightlatch replacement
- £90
- New nightlatch fitted
- £130
The locks we fit
Quality locks, not cheap imports
Not all locksmiths use the same locks. Some fit cheap unbranded locks that can wear quickly and fail. We do not.
- From proper suppliersEvery lock we fit is bought from reputable, well-established UK locksmith wholesalers.
- British Standard and KitemarkedCylinders carry the BSI Kitemark to TS007, and our mortice deadlocks meet BS 3621, the standard most home insurers ask for.
- Built to lastBranded locks work smoothly for years. Cheap ones can stick, wear and fail, which means another call-out.
- One price, all-inclusiveThe lock, fitting and labour in one price, agreed on the call before we come out.
Where we work
Lockouts and lost keys across East London
The same service and the same prices in every borough we cover, 24 hours a day.
Do I need a new lock if I lose my keys?
Not always. If your keys are simply lost and nothing with them shows your address, you can keep the lock. If they were stolen, or could lead someone to your door, we recommend changing it.
Will you damage my door?
We try non-destructive entry first. If a lock has to be drilled, we tell you why and agree the price before we start.
Should I try to open the lock myself?
Please do not force the door or try to pick the lock. It often damages the lock and makes the job take longer.
Can you help if I am locked out of my shop?
Yes. We open shops and offices too, and can change the locks and cut keys before you open.
Can a locksmith make a key without the original?
Usually the quickest fix is a new cylinder with new keys. We can tell you on the phone which suits your lock.
What do I need to show you?
Proof that you live there, such as photo ID with your address or a bill. If it is inside, we check it once the door is open.
What should I check before booking any locksmith?
Ask for the price before anyone sets off. A real price on the phone, not a call-out fee “plus whatever the job turns out to be”. Ask about non-destructive entry. Most lockouts do not need a drilled lock. Ask why if someone says yours does. Check the company is real. A company name you can look up, real reviews and a phone number that is answered. Pay by card if you can. Card payments can be disputed. We take card, cash, Clearpay and Klarna.
Checked November 2026 by East London Locksmith Ltd, a member of the Master Locksmiths Association. Standards and advice on this page follow UK guidance.
Sources and further help