House Lockout in Raleigh, NC

What the building means for a lockout

In Historic Oakwood, roughly bounded by North Boundary, Person, Jones and Linden streets, Second Empire and Queen Anne houses stand beside later bungalows. The neighborhood grew lot by lot, so neighboring doors need not match; describe your own rather than assuming. An older front door there may carry a mortise lock, often beside a deadbolt added later. Note which of the two is actually locked, since a spring latch that closed behind you and a thrown deadbolt are different problems.

In North Raleigh, the large suburban area generally north of Millbrook Road, start with anyone who holds a spare or a keypad code.

In Midtown, several high-rise buildings have gone up around North Hills since 2010. There the lobby, garage and elevator may run on management-issued fobs, separate from your unit's keyed lock. If the fob is inside with your keys, the building office belongs in the conversation as well as the unit door.

Proof that you live there

Have proof of residence ready:

• photo ID that shows the address
• a lease or deed if the ID shows an old address, or a note that the paperwork is inside
• for a rental, the landlord's or manager's name
• for a tower or apartment building, the building name and unit number

A landlord who changes the locks to force a tenant out has not caused an ordinary lockout. Under G.S. 42-25.6, a residential tenant may be removed only through the procedures in Article 3 or Article 7 of Chapter 42, and under G.S. 42-25.9 a tenant removed any other way may recover possession or end the lease, and recover actual damages. This is general information, not legal advice.

While you wait

Wait with a neighbor or in a nearby shop, and do not climb toward an upper-floor window. If a child, or anyone who cannot work the door, is inside and at risk, call 911.

If the keys are gone for good rather than locked inside, lock rekeying retires them; the Raleigh page has more on the neighborhoods above.