Nearly 65,000 people have Googled ‘emergency locksmith’ in the past year alone.
And with some tenants actively avoiding asking their landlord for help with issues and repairs, they could be prime targets for fraudsters looking to make some quick money if they ever find themselves locked out.
There’s a concerning nationwide trend in so-called ‘bait and switch scams’, which are up 66% since 2021. This is when the unrealistically low price advertised in a Google Ad (the bait) for an emergency locksmith isn’t honoured when the work is carried out (the switch).
When the final bill comes, it is much higher than expected - perhaps hundreds or even thousands more, and tenants could be denied access to their home until they pay up.
The locksmith claims the job is more complicated than originally described, adds hidden fees like parts or labour, or says you need extra work, such as replacing the whole lock mechanism, when you don’t. Suddenly, the cost goes from a £49 call-out charge to a thousand-pound bill.
There is also the risk that a cowboy locksmith causes damage to a property that is expensive for landlords to repair.
If a tenant is locked out, whose responsibility is it to organise an emergency locksmith?
Responsibility for whether the tenant or the landlord should organise an emergency locksmith depends on why the lockout occurred.
Generally, if a lockout happens due to the tenant’s own actions (or misfortune), the responsibility falls on them. This includes lost or stolen keys - as tenants are legally responsible for safeguarding them, if a tenant accidentally locks their keys inside the property and cannot regain access, and if the lock is broken because a tenant forced a key or otherwise caused damage to it.
However, the landlord would be responsible for organising access and repair if the lockout was the result of property failure. This includes faulty locks due to age, mechanical failure or wear and tear. A landlord should help organise a locksmith visit and cover the total cost of their services.
If a failed lock prevents a tenant from exiting the property, this is considered a serious safety hazard, and the landlord is legally obligated to fix it immediately.
In the event a tenant cannot get hold of their landlord or letting agent, such as in the middle of the night, they should organise a locksmith themselves and keep all evidence, invoices and receipts for the landlord to reimburse the costs.
How can tenants and landlords avoid bait-and-switch locksmith scams?
Unlike other skilled trades, locksmiths don’t need any qualifications to work safely and legally, so it’s easy for those with ill intentions to take advantage of people having a bad day.
My number one piece of advice to avoid being overcharged by an emergency locksmith is to remove the emergency from the equation.
Scammers are relying on the fact that someone is locked out and desperately needs their help. One way to reduce your (and your tenant’s) odds of being stung is to prepare for a lockout before one happens, together.
It’s in a landlord’s best interests to research in advance and provide tenants with a shortlist of local emergency locksmiths they trust in the event of a lockout where they can’t help in regaining access to the property.
Check local business directories and review platforms, consult with industry bodies like the Master Locksmiths Association, and ask letting agents and landlord community groups for their trusted recommendations.
This preparation removes the stress and pressure that often leads to bad decision making in the moment and agreeing to higher prices.
You can also give any locksmith a call to find out exactly what their call out quote includes and what you could expect to pay for a replacement lock. Red flags would be cash-only payments, vague answers and avoiding a detailed estimate for common scenarios.
As a general rule, avoid clicking on sponsored ads, too. Scammers often use paid online advertising to appear legitimate, even copying genuine business names. They may also show addresses or map listings that don’t actually exist. A better approach is to scroll past adverts to the organic Google rankings.
Once you have a shortlist of companies you trust, ensure your tenant has a copy of their details in case you aren’t contactable. Encourage them to save these in their phone or a paper copy in their wallet. If a tenant is locked out, they won’t be able to find the details in the back of a drawer.
