House Lockout in Charleston, SC

Street door, piazza door or building entry

On a Charleston single house the door at the street only screens the private piazza, the side porch; the piazza door into the house itself is halfway along it. Each can carry its own lock, so check both before you send a request.

Apartment buildings work differently. Buildings of five or more units hold 36.4 percent of Charleston's homes, by Census Bureau estimates for 2024. If the main entry runs on a key or fob issued by management, ask management before changing anything tied to it; your own unit door is a separate matter.

Renters and posted contacts

The city's rental registration pilot, City Code Sec. 7-125 through 7-134, began in 2023 in Cannonborough-Elliotborough and was later extended to Radcliffeborough and Mazyck-Wraggborough. Under Sec. 7-128(f), the landlord must post contact details for the landlord or a responsible local representative in plain view inside the unit. That notice sits on the wrong side of a locked door, so copy the contact into your mobile now and try it first when you are shut out.

A landlord who changed the locks is a different situation from lost keys. Section 27-40-760 of the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act bars a landlord from taking possession except after abandonment, surrender, termination or as the Act permits. Say in your request which situation you are in. This is general information, not legal advice.

When the streets flood

NOAA's climate summary notes that Charleston's tidal floods can close roads. Rising water outside means going somewhere dry and naming any shut street in your request. If a child, an older adult or a pet is alone inside and needs help, call 911.

What to have ready

Have proof that you live there: a photo ID showing the address, or a lease or deed, and say so if those papers are inside. In a house lockout request, include:

• the street and nearest cross street
• which door: street door, piazza door, back door or unit door
• the lock type, if you know it
• whether your keys are locked inside or missing

Missing keys are a reason to rekey once you are back in. For the single houses and rental rules behind this page, see Charleston.