House Lockout in Madison, WI

Which door has you shut out

Mansion Hill, north of Capitol Square, has Madison's most intact Victorian houses, and many are now multi-unit housing, largely for students. A single house there can have a street door, a shared hall and several unit doors, and each can take a different key. Work out which door is the real problem and whether a housemate or neighbor can let you through the outer ones.

Doors that lock behind you

Madison General Ordinances section 27.05(2)(h) calls for a storeroom lock (a positive locking guarded latch) and a self-closer on the exterior doors of rental buildings where two or more units open off a common area. A self-closer shuts the door behind you, so stepping onto the porch or out to the recycling bins without a key can leave you outside. In a divided house or an apartment building, the landlord or property manager may hold a key to your unit, so try them first and say in your request that you rent. This is general information, not legal advice.

Waiting in the cold

NOAA's state climate summary puts yearly snowfall in southern Wisconsin at about 30 inches, which makes waiting outside in winter more than a nuisance. Wait in a neighbor's home, a nearby business or a warm car rather than on the steps. If a child, an older adult or a pet is alone inside and needs help, or anyone outside is dangerously cold, call 911.

Proof and details for the request

Expect to be asked to show that the home is yours. A photo ID with the address is simplest. If your ID shows an old address, a lease or deed in your name works, and if that paperwork is inside, say so. A house lockout request should include:

• the address, plus the unit number in a divided house or apartment building
• which door is locked: street door, hall door or unit door
• whether the keys are inside or lost

If the keys were lost rather than locked in, ask about lock rekeying so the missing set stops working. For the neighborhoods and rules behind these doors, see the Madison page.