Help, I lost my keys!
Of course it’s infuriating. Finding yourself in front of your door having misplaced your keys is however a mishap that can happen to anyone. What to do?
The first piece of advice to avoid wasting too much time will be to have previously given a copy of your keys to a loved one. Which at the same time will make it possible to do without the services of a locksmith delighted to charge a high price for emergency repairs.
If you live in your own house, you can also have, in a discreet place, a numbered key box, containing an emergency key.
Attention tenants
If you are renting things get a bit more complicated. You will obviously have to replace it at your own expense. However, your key probably opens doors other than that of your accommodation (entrance to the building, bike room, cellar, etc.). It is then a safety cylinder that is part of a building security plan. There are also protected keys for additional locks to the main lock. In both cases, authorization from the lessor or management is required to obtain a copy. This obligation stems from a precaution governed by the “Rules and Rental Usages of the canton of Vaud”. In this case, it is imperative to quickly contact its management or lessor because it is he who holds the security card allowing you to order a new key.
It is possible, depending on the type of lost key, that it is necessary to change the secure cylinder and redo a series of keys, compatible with other locks. The invoice is then salty and amounts to several hundred francs.
Some things
In summary, it is better to take precautions so as not to lose your keys too often. Among other things, that of putting them on a big key ring that will make noise if it falls. Or to add a somewhat rigid ribbon which on the one hand will make it easier to find them in a bag and on the other hand will be visible and easily recognizable by found objects. If your keys are lost with documents containing your address, you must immediately notify the police and secure your accommodation. Finally, there are “found keys” services which provide a numbered pad to add to the keyring. Anyone who finds a key with this plate can throw it in an official postbox. The post office sends the key and its plate to the service of the keys found which will contact you to return it to you.
