Comments on: Tips For Locking Yourself Out of Your Apartment In Style – What You Hope You Have If Your Keys or the Landlord is Lost

By: Edward - Entry Level Dilemma

Edward - Entry Level Dilemma — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 16:14:51 +0000

Usually when a key says do not duplicate, it’s because the lock owner is lazy/cheap and doesn’t want to replace the lock when the renter vacates. That’s why storage unit keys say that. Merinas is correct when stating that it’s legal for a locksmith to cut a key even if the original says not to duplicate. Some may be too scrupled, but others will do it for you.

And a thief would hardly need to find a locksmith to copy a key, most of which do not say anything about not copying. A basic key machine can be built for ~$100, and then it only takes a little practice to be able to copy any key that doesn’t have some sort of protection (the words “do not copy” don’t count, I mean like the chip in most modern car keys and some keys have anti-copying features built right into the teeth)..

By: MoneyEnergy

MoneyEnergy — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 02:33:34 +0000

@Merinas – so any thief who steals your keys should be able to flubb their way into duplicating them and gaining access to your apartment later? If a key says do not duplicate, there’s a reason for it. I think the locksmith shouldn’t do it unless he’s clearly talking to the building owner.

By: Merinas van der Lubbe

Merinas van der Lubbe — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 05:49:08 +0000

That “Do Not Duplicate” stamp on the keys is *meaningless*. You can find a locksmith who will duplicate them, especially if you have a good cover story. If one locksmith refuses, just go to another one. It’s NOT illegal for them to duplicate them (at least in my state…)

By: sean

sean — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:12:40 +0000

And a reciprocating hacksaw ( battery operated of course)

No door shall ever get in your way again!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Craig

Craig — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:25:02 +0000

Hopefully a very strong foot, ha.

By: MoneyEnergy

MoneyEnergy — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:38:19 +0000

Apparently so – it’s inscribed right onto the keys themselves. This isn’t the first apartment where that’s been the case. Good idea to have a spare hidden in your car as well as somewhere else, though – but in my apartment there’s no “outdoors” place to really hide the key – can’t exactly go digging up the front lobby flower beds… and of course if you’re living with someone, there’s almost no issue, since one person will always have a key.

By: Edward - Entry Level Dilemma

Edward - Entry Level Dilemma — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 02:05:19 +0000

Your landlord won’t let you have duplicate keys? Is that even legal?

Aside from they key my wife and I each have on our rings, we have spare keys with two trusted friends, and I have spare safely locked in my car (and hidden in a spot unlikely to be found if my car is ever broken into). And after locking myself out of my car once an hour from home, I keep a spare of my car in my wallet. So, to get locked out of my apartment, I would have to leave my wallet and keys inside, and three different people would have to be unavailable.