Apartment keys and locks
The line that matters is simple: your own door is yours, everything shared is strata.
We work on the lock into your own apartment — rekeys, repairs, lockouts and keypad locks. Lobby doors, basement gates, lifts and building entry systems belong to the strata and are not something an individual owner or tenant can have changed. Letterbox banks are the one master-keyed job we do, so a common key for the bank with individual box keys is possible.
- Your door
- Rekeys, repairs, lockouts, keypad locks
- Shared doors
- Strata decision, not yours
- Letterbox banks
- The one master key job we do
Who owns which door
Your own front door
The lock into your apartment is yours to deal with. We rekey it when you move in or when keys go missing, repair it when it starts sticking, open it when you are locked out, and fit a keypad lock if you would rather not carry a key. If you are renting, check with the property manager first, because the hardware is still the owner’s.
Anything shared
The lobby door, the basement car park gate, the lift, the bin room and the building intercom are common property. One resident cannot have them changed, and we would not do it if asked — it has to come through the strata company or the building manager. If a shared door genuinely needs work, raise it with them and they can engage somebody properly.
Letterbox banks
A recurring problem in unit blocks. Boxes get jammed, keys get lost between tenancies, and nobody knows who holds what. Letterbox banks in unit blocks are the single exception to our rule on master key systems: we can set one up so the building has a common key for the bank while each box keeps its own key. We do not do master key systems for doors.
Locked out of an apartment
Two things make this different from a house. First, getting to your door may need building access, so somebody has to let us in. Second, we still need photo identification and something showing you live there — a lease, a rates notice, a piece of mail. That applies whether you own the place or rent it.
Keypad locks in apartments
Popular with owners who let short-term, and with anybody tired of carrying a key. Most apartment doors take one, though narrow-stile aluminium doors need particular models. If the building has rules about the appearance of front doors, check them before buying. Every lock we fit keeps a second way in.
Balcony and window locks
Ground and first floor apartments are worth a second look at the balcony slider, which is often the weakest door in the place. We fit locks for sliding doors and windows.
Where to go next
If keys are missing, see lost house keys. Between tenants, rekeying and rental property locks are the relevant pages; extra copies are on duplicate keys.
What customers say
Tap any review to read it on Google.
“Amco locksmiths are amazing to deal with! Very friendly and helpful on the phone. Responded promptly to my call for help with a key that was not working. Magnus was extremly friendly and helpful when he showed up. For any locksmith issues, go with these guys. You will not be disappointed. Thank you for making my day so much better in a sticky situation <3”
Read on Google →“Absolutely cracking service from Magnus. My wife dropped her keys last night and went to start it today and and it failed. We called 2 other places first and also had road side assistance out to inspect. Not one of them advised us to look where she had dropped it for the micro chip. They simply wanted dollars in their pockets without trying to solve the problem. After a prompt call back from Magnus and an exploded view image of keys components and 5 minutes of rummaging around the garden the chip was found, re-installed and works. 100% recommend these guys and will be getting a spare key from them in the near future. Thanks so much Magnus!!!”
Read on Google →“Very impressed with Amco Locksmiths! The cheapest amongst a few quotes that I got. Very fast and efficient. Professional and friendly technician who gave me advice on a few other things around the house. Customer service was swift and helpful. Cannot fault!”
Read on Google →“Awesome, quick and very good priced service!”
Read on Google →Straight answers
Can I change the lock on my apartment door?
If you own it, yes. If you rent, ask the property manager first, because the hardware belongs to the owner. Either way the door into your own apartment is a normal locksmithing job.
Can you change the lobby or car park door?
No. Shared doors are common property and have to go through the strata company or building manager, not an individual resident.
Can you do the letterbox bank for our block?
Yes. Letterbox banks in unit blocks are the one master-keyed job we do — a common key for the bank, individual keys for the boxes. We do not do master key systems for doors.
I am locked out of my apartment. What do you need?
Photo ID and something showing you live there, such as a lease or a piece of mail. Somebody will also need to get us into the building.
Can I fit a keypad lock on an apartment door?
Usually yes. Narrow aluminium doors need particular models, and some buildings have rules about how front doors look, so check those first.
What about the balcony sliding door?
Often the weakest point in a lower-floor apartment. We fit locks for sliding doors and for windows.