House Lockout in Austin, TX

Which door you are locked out of

In Austin the answer depends on the building, so name the type first.

• West Campus towers. Getting past the lobby may depend on a building fob system that is separate from your unit key. Say whether you are stuck at the lobby or at your own apartment door.
• West Campus houses and duplexes. West of Guadalupe Street, the Drag, the neighborhood also has Craftsman homes, bungalows, duplexes and apartments. Mention whether a back door or an attached-garage door is known to be unlocked.
• Student co-ops. More than a dozen co-ops are organized by the Inter-Cooperative Council, and many residents share the exterior doors, so a housemate may be able to let you in.
• Hyde Park bungalows. The neighborhood's biggest building boom, from 1924 to 1935, added many small frame houses. Original hardware from those years can look unlike a modern deadbolt, so describe it or send a photo.

Waiting outside in Texas weather

Texas heat can turn a short wait into a health risk. NOAA notes that in 2011, the state's warmest summer on record, Dallas–Fort Worth logged 40 straight days above 100°F. If a child, an older person or anyone unwell is stuck outside, move them into shade or a neighbor's home, and call 911 if their health is at risk. If a child or pet is locked inside, call 911 first.

If a landlord changed the locks

Texas Property Code section 92.0081 allows a landlord to change a tenant's locks for unpaid rent only if the lease permits it, rent is delinquent and advance written notice was given. The landlord must then provide a new key at any time of day, paid or not. Contact the landlord first. This is general information, not legal advice.

What to have ready

• photo ID showing the address, or a lease or deed if your ID shows an older address
• the unit number and the building type: tower, duplex, co-op or house
• which locks are set, and whether building staff or a housemate holds a key

Service details are on the house lockout page. If keys were lost rather than locked inside, lock rekeying shuts out the missing ones, and Austin gives the city overview.