Locked out of your house in Perth? What to do first
What to check first, who to call, what to have ready and how a lockout is priced.
First check every other door and window, and anyone who holds a spare key. If someone inside is in danger, call 000. Otherwise ring a licensed locksmith, have photo ID ready, and agree the price before any work starts. *Written by Magnus Aller, owner of Amco Locksmiths. WA Police-licensed security installer (licence 30629), 25 years' experience as a locksmith in Perth, Western Australia. Reviewed October 2026.* Being locked out is stressful, and it is easy to make it worse in a hurry. This is the order we would work through if it were our own front door.
- First
- Check other doors, windows and spare keys
- Who to call
- A WA Police-licensed locksmith
- Have ready
- Photo ID and proof of address
What to do, in order
Being locked out is stressful, and it is easy to make it worse in a hurry. This is the order we would work through if it were our own front door.
What should I check before calling a locksmith?
Walk around the house first. Check the back door, laundry door, sliding doors and windows. Then think about who has a spare key: a housemate, family, a neighbour or, if you rent, the property manager. A spare key is quicker and cheaper than any locksmith.
Don’t force a window or lever at the door. A broken window or a bent door frame is another repair on top of the lockout, and a lock that has been forced is harder to open cleanly.
If you rent, the owner or agent may well have a key. Consumer Protection WA’s rental home security rules say landlords give tenants at least one set of keys, and a tenant who changes or adds a lock gives the landlord a copy of the key or code.
Who should I call if I’m locked out of my house?
Call a locksmith who holds a WA Police security installer licence, and ask for the number when you ring. In Western Australia that licence covers installing and repairing prescribed locks, and anyone can check a number on the public WA Police list in a couple of minutes.
The WA Police licence types page explains what a security installer licence covers, and the current licence holders list is where you check a number. Ours is 30629. Our guide on how to check a locksmith is licensed walks through it step by step.
What should I have ready when the locksmith arrives?
Photo ID and something showing you live at the address, such as a lease, a bill or similar. We ask for both before we open any house. When you ring, tell us the address, which door and the type of lock.
How much does a house lockout cost?
A house lockout with Amco is from $195 inc GST in business hours, and there’s no charge if we can’t get you in. After-hours costs more and varies with the time; the price is agreed before we start.
Prices checked October 2026. Our emergency locksmith in Perth page has the full detail on house, car and business lockouts.
Do locksmiths charge by the hour?
Amco doesn’t. We price a lockout by the job and tell you the price before any work starts, so it doesn’t grow if a lock is slow to open. If extra work turns up, such as a broken lock that needs replacing, we tell you and agree that first.
Our lockout page says the same: the price is agreed before we come.
Will a locksmith damage my door?
Most house lockouts we go to are opened without damage, through the lock itself. If drilling is ever needed, we tell you before we start.
If the door is deadlocked, that is a question of its own, and our guide on whether a locksmith can open a deadlocked door without damage answers it in full.
What should I do once I’m back inside?
After a lockout, if the key was only locked inside, nothing more is needed. If it is lost or may have been taken, think about a rekey so the old key stops working. We can cut spare keys on site, so one can sit with someone you trust.
Our lost house keys guide explains when a rekey makes sense and when the key is simply mislaid. We’re a mobile locksmith covering Mount Lawley and across Perth, with a 24 hour emergency service for house lockouts.
What customers say
Tap any review to read it on Google.
“I highly recommend Magnus from Amco Locksmiths. He was very quick to respond to my enquiry and was able to see me the next day. He showed up on time, had great communication and was very professional and friendly throughout the process.”
Read on Google →“I recently moved to a new house and wanted to change the locks for security. Magnus arrived on time and worked efficiently to do just that, also cutting more windows keys and rekeying the garage remote. He even oiled the squeaky garage door at no cost! I would use Amco again in a heartbeat.”
Read on Google →“Great communication advising when he would arrive. Quick, friendly service and very knowledgeable. Highly recommended.”
Read on Google →“Very friendly and replies fast! Definitely recommend!!”
Read on Google →“I needed an emergency locksmith today (Friday) and Magnus from Amco came to the rescue. Absolutely pleasant man very friendly and curteous. Explained everything including cost upfront. Completed the job professionally. Will definitely recommend Amco Locksmiths and Magnus anytime.”
Read on Google →Straight answers
Can I get a locksmith at night in Perth?
Yes. Amco runs a 24 hour emergency service for house lockouts across Perth. After-hours work costs more than business hours and varies with the time, and the price is agreed before we start.
Do I pay if the locksmith can’t get me in?
No. If Amco can’t open the door, there’s no charge for the attempt. If we can, you pay the price agreed before we started.
I rent. Can the property manager let me in?
Possibly. In Western Australia, landlords give tenants at least one set of keys, and tenants who add or change a lock give the landlord a copy, so the owner or agent may hold one. Ring them first; if they can’t help, call a locksmith.
Should I try to force the lock or a window myself?
We’d advise against it. Forcing a lock, a window or the door frame can add a repair to the lockout, and a damaged lock is harder to open cleanly. Check the other doors, windows and spare keys, then ring.