EHSL Supported Housing reported an urgent lockout situation at one of their properties in Leighton Buzzard. The nature of supported housing means that lockouts carry additional considerations beyond simple inconvenience—residents may have care needs, appointments, or medications that make regaining access time-critical.
The callout was classified as urgent, requiring priority response to minimise the time the resident was unable to access their home.
The Response
Our locksmith attended the property and assessed the situation. The approach to any lockout balances speed of access against the need to minimise damage and maintain security for future use.
The locksmith gained access to the property successfully, allowing the resident to re-enter their home. Following access, the lock and nightlatch were supplied and replaced as requested by the housing provider.
| Task | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Property Access | Gained successfully |
| Lock Assessment | Replacement required |
| New Lock | Supplied and fitted |
| Nightlatch | Supplied and fitted |
| Security Testing | Fully operational |
All works were completed with the new lock fully operational, restoring both access and security to the property.
Understanding Lock Replacement Decisions
When responding to lockouts, several factors determine whether locks should be replaced:
Key Availability: If keys exist elsewhere (with a family member, housing provider, or hidden), simple access may suffice. If no spare keys exist, replacement provides new keys.
Lock Condition: Locks that have failed mechanically should be replaced rather than repaired, as further failures are likely.
Security Concerns: If there’s any possibility that keys have been lost rather than simply left inside, lock replacement eliminates the risk of unauthorised access.
Housing Provider Policy: Many social landlords and housing associations mandate lock replacement following lockouts to ensure key security.
In this case, the housing provider requested lock replacement as part of their standard protocol for lockout situations.
