Garage Door Locked - No Keys

MoneySavingMumof2

I've just moved into a property. I was given all the keys by the Estate Agent when I moved in, but I went to go into the garage using the main garage door and found that I haven't been given the key! The door is locked and padlocked!

The Estate Agent has no more keys to give me, and the vendor has not got the garage key (it was his mum's house and she gave him the keys to look after, before she went into a residential home).

I've got all my furniture in storage, which I wanted to get out of storage and put into the garage, as it is costing me a fortune! I can enter the garage using the side door, but this entrance isn't big enough to get my stuff through.

What are my options? I can think of:

1. Get a locksmith to force off the padlock and change the lock on the door.
2. Get a new garage door.

What would be the cheapest thing to do? Obviously, at the end of the outcome I need a garage door that locks so I can store my things safely.

Thanks.

Kavanne

I got a locksmith to do it. Took 15 mins. Maybe less, he was talking about the asbestos in my garage roof for some of the time lol

Suzy_M

1. Have you checked inside the garage in case there's a spare key hung up anywhere?

2. Can you see any of the screws holding the hasp etc on? If so simply unscrew them and take the padlock and hasp off in one piece.

3. If no visible screws forced removal depends on how robust the padlock is. If it's a cheap thing a big screwdriver could prise the shackle out but if it's a robust one you are more likely to pull the padlock and hasp off damaging the door and/or frame.

4. You can also cut through the shackle (the U shaped thing) on the padlock. A pair of bolt croppers should do it (know any firemen?), or a multitool (Dremel type thing) with a cutting disc or even a small hacksaw.

Primrose

Send a bill to the vendor for any locksmith's expenses you incur. You were supposed to be able to move into your new house with FULL Vacant possession and the terms of your contract were not adhere to.

ormus

the kids around here could have the padlock off, within 60 seconds.


just cut it off and get new one. by far the cheapest method.

WestonDave

If you can get into the garage, is the lock on the garage operated by a wire running from the handle up to the latch at the roof - if so you can open the door by simply pulling on the wire! The old style ones like this have the handle locking so it can't move but the latch itself is wire operated and isn't affected.

allan673

get the padlock off first, then you will need a something about 2 foot long and thin? 5mm thick or so that fits above the gap at the top of the garage door.
you simply move the wire to the side that runs from the lock to the latch at the top of the door.

sir_locksalot

a locksmith should charge about £40-£50 to sort this for you

MoneySavingMumof2

Thank you to everyone for your replies.

The electricians who are rewiring my house, cut off the padlock, and the garage door wasn't locked. Im off to buy a new padlock this afternoon...