House Lockout in Meridian, ID

Which door you are locked out of

Meridian's comprehensive plan sorts housing by density, and lockouts tend to follow it.

• Detached houses. Under the plan, low and medium density areas run three or fewer homes per acre, or three to eight. Single-family detached houses are 73.3 percent of Idaho's homes, and many have a garage entry or back door too. Check whether one of those is unlocked before asking for the deadbolt to be opened.
• Townhouses, condominiums and apartments. The plan places these at eight or more units per acre, typically near mixed-use commercial or employment areas. Two locks can block you, the shared entry and your unit door; the property manager may hold a key for the shared one.
• Homes above shops. The Idaho Building at 136 E. Idaho Ave. puts shops downstairs and apartments upstairs. In a building like that, the stair door to the upper floor may have its own lock, apart from the storefront.

Showing that the home is yours

Whoever opens a locked home must be satisfied that you belong inside. In a city where 49.1 percent of homes are in buildings from 2010 or later (2024 Census estimate), a recent buyer's ID may still show the old address. Have ready:

• Photo ID showing the address, or a utility bill or addressed mail if the ID lists an old one
• A lease in your name, or a deed, closing papers or a property tax statement
• If the ID is locked inside too, anything on your phone that ties your name to the address

Waiting out the weather

Boise, nearby, has an average January low of 25.5°F, per NOAA's Idaho climate summary. On a night like that, wait at a neighbor's, in your car or in a nearby business, not on the step. If a child, an older relative or a pet is alone inside, or a burner is on, call 911 first.

What to send

Give the subdivision or complex name and the nearest cross streets, which door is locked (unit, shared entry or stair door), and what lock is on it: knob, lever, deadbolt or keypad. After a lost key, rekeying makes the missing key useless. See the house lockout page and the Meridian page.