locked out drama—what would you do?

Title: Locked Out Drama—What Would You Do?

Had my fair share of lockout mishaps over the years, and I’ve learned the hard way that those “clever” hiding spots are just invitations for trouble. The fake rock trick lasted about a month before a tenant’s kid found it and started using it as a toy. After that, I switched to lockboxes on all my rentals. Not the cheapest ones, either—those things can be popped open with a screwdriver if you’re not careful.

One thing I do a bit differently: I keep a coded lockbox in a spot that’s not super obvious, but also not so hidden that someone would never find it in an emergency. Had a situation once where a guest called me at 2am, standing in the rain, couldn’t find the box because I’d gotten too clever with the hiding spot. Lesson learned—sometimes simple is better.

I hear you on the backup key with a friend. Tried that too, but when you’re locked out at midnight, nobody wants to drive across town. Ended up sleeping in my car once because of that... not my proudest moment.

Changing the code regularly is smart, though I’ll admit I’m not as diligent as I should be. Got burned once when a former tenant let themselves back in months later—turns out I’d forgotten to update the combo. Now I set reminders on my phone every few months.

Locksmiths are my last resort these days. After paying through the nose for an “emergency” callout on a Sunday, I decided enough was enough. Between decent lockboxes and a little planning, I haven’t had to call one in years. Still, nothing’s foolproof... but at least I’m not crawling around in the bushes looking for that fake rock anymore.

- Totally agree about the “clever” hiding spots—those just end up being a headache. I tried the old flowerpot trick once and a squirrel actually dragged the key out. Never again.

- Lockboxes are the way to go, but you’re right, the cheap ones are basically decoration. I’ve got a heavy-duty one tucked behind a downspout—easy enough to find if you know where to look, but not obvious to strangers.

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“Had a situation once where a guest called me at 2am, standing in the rain, couldn’t find the box because I’d gotten too clever with the hiding spot. Lesson learned—sometimes simple is better.”

- I do keep a backup key with a neighbor, but honestly, I’d rather not bother them unless it’s a real emergency. Midnight calls are rough for everyone.

- Changing codes is a pain, but after a former house-sitter let herself in months later, I’m religious about it now. I set a calendar alert every quarter—otherwise, I’d forget.

- Locksmiths are my last resort too. After paying $200 for a five-minute job, I’d rather take my chances with a lockbox and a little planning.

- One extra thing: for older homes like mine, sometimes the doors swell and stick, so even with a key, you’re wrestling with the door. WD-40 and a little patience go a long way.

I get the appeal of lockboxes, but honestly, I’ve had more luck with smart locks. No keys to hide, no codes to change unless you want to, and you can just text a temporary code to whoever needs in. The upfront cost is higher, but it’s saved me so much hassle—especially when I’m juggling deliveries or contractors. Only downside: if your WiFi goes down, you’re back to square one... but that’s rare. For older doors that swell, I’d actually recommend checking the weatherstripping and door alignment too—sometimes it’s a quick fix with a screwdriver instead of wrestling every time.

I hear you on the smart locks—they’re definitely slick, and I love the idea of sending out codes instead of hiding keys under a rock (which, let’s be honest, is the first place anyone looks). But for me, the price tag is tough to swallow, especially when you factor in batteries and the occasional tech hiccup. I’ve stuck with a sturdy lockbox for now, mostly because it’s low maintenance and doesn’t care if my WiFi is having a meltdown. That said, you’re spot on about door alignment—I spent a weekend cursing at my front door before realizing a $3 pack of shims would’ve saved me a lot of grief.

I hear you on the smart locks—they’re definitely slick, and I love the idea of sending out codes instead of hiding keys under a rock (which, let’s be honest, is the first place anyone looks).

I totally get where you’re coming from on the price of smart locks. They look cool, but when you add up the cost of the lock, batteries, and the “what if my phone dies” factor, it’s a lot. I’m with you on the lockbox—mine’s been through rain, snow, and a couple of accidental drops, and it just keeps going. No apps, no updates, just a code.

That said, I do wonder if the convenience of smart locks would pay off in the long run. Like, not having to worry about changing codes manually or dealing with stuck keys. But then again, as you said, “it doesn’t care if my WiFi is having a meltdown.” That’s a big one for me too. My internet goes out if the wind blows the wrong way, so I’d probably end up locked out more often than not.

And yeah, door alignment is a whole saga. I once spent an hour trying to figure out why my deadbolt wouldn’t turn, only to realize the door had swollen from humidity. Sometimes the low-tech fixes are the best.