The Locked-Out Tenant Who Didn’t Need a Locksmith

When a tenant suddenly found themselves unable to unlock their home, it could easily have resulted in an expensive emergency locksmith callout. Fortunately, a practical, hands-on approach from our property manager identified a simpler solution that saved the owner money while getting the tenant back inside quickly.

The Issue
A tenant from one of our managed properties in Melling, Lower Hutt arrived at our office concerned that their keys were no longer working.

They explained that they were unable to unlock either of the property’s external doors and needed assistance gaining access to their home.

In many situations like this, the immediate response might be to arrange an urgent locksmith callout. However, before taking that step, our property manager Simon decided to investigate the issue in person.

What We Found
Simon attended the property with the tenant and tested the keys himself.

After checking both entry doors, he confirmed that neither lock would operate and that the issue was not caused by the tenant using the wrong key or a faulty key.

It quickly became apparent that both door mechanisms had become jammed, preventing the doors from being unlocked from the outside.

With the tenant still locked out, the next challenge was finding a safe way to regain access without incurring unnecessary emergency callout costs.

The Solution
Working together, Simon and the tenant identified a partially opened window that allowed access to the property.

Once inside, they were able to unlock the front door from within, restoring immediate access to the home.

With the urgent issue resolved, we arranged for a tradesperson to attend the following day to replace both faulty door handles and permanently fix the problem.

The tenant was able to return home without delay, and the repairs were completed promptly the next day.

Why This Matters for Owners
Property management often involves solving unexpected problems, but the most expensive solution is not always the best one.

A less proactive approach may have involved immediately arranging an emergency locksmith, potentially resulting in significant after-hours callout fees and higher repair costs for the owner.

Instead, taking the time to investigate the issue, assess the situation on-site, and find a practical solution allowed the tenant to regain access quickly while keeping costs to a minimum.

This is a great example of how hands-on property management, practical problem-solving, and a willingness to go the extra mile can deliver better outcomes for both owners and tenants. 

At Manage My Rental, our team helps property owners across Wellington, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Porirua navigate unexpected maintenance issues and tenancy challenges. It’s this proactive, hands-on approach that helps protect our clients’ properties while delivering better outcomes for tenants.

If you require property management in Porirua, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Northern Suburbs or Wellington, please don’t hesitate to contact us.