A Mississauga Tenant Asked: “Does My Landlord Have to Pay for a Locksmith If I’m Locked Out?” — What Ontario Law Says

Last updated: June 14, 2026

The short answer: it depends on who caused the lockout. In Ontario, landlords are legally required to maintain locks in working order and provide functioning access to rental units. If your landlord is responsible for the lockout, they must cover the locksmith tenant lockout cost. If you locked yourself out or lost your key, you’re typically on the hook.

Table of Contents

• The Short Answer
• The Full Answer
• Related Question We Often Hear
• When the Answer Is Different
• FAQ

The Short Answer

Under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), landlords are required to keep the rental property in good repair, which explicitly includes locks and keys. Section 82 of the RTA states that a landlord must “maintain the premises in habitable condition,” and that includes providing you with safe, functioning access to your own home. If your lock malfunctions, breaks, or was damaged by normal wear and tear, your landlord bears the cost of repair or replacement, including the emergency locksmith call.

However, if you lost your key, locked yourself out through negligence, or damaged the lock yourself, that’s typically a tenant cost. Ontario courts have consistently held that tenants are responsible for their own forgetfulness or carelessness. The pivot point is cause, not blame, but actual cause.

The Full Answer

What Ontario Law Actually Says About Tenant Lockouts

The Residential Tenancies Act doesn’t mention lockouts by name. Instead, it relies on the broader landlord maintenance obligation. Your landlord must maintain the premises in a state of repair suitable for occupancy, and that means the lock must function. If the lock fails through no fault of yours (a worn cylinder, a broken deadbolt, a misaligned frame after years of use), the landlord must fix it, including covering the locksmith cost.

Here’s the key distinction: repair vs. replacement of tenant caused damage. If a lock is old and gives out, that’s wear and tear; landlord pays. If you forced the lock or damaged it, that’s on you. And if you locked yourself out because you forgot your keys, that’s squarely your problem, legally speaking.

The Scenario Where Your Landlord Definitely Has to Pay

Your landlord is legally on the hook if the lockout was caused by a building fault, a lock defect, or landlord negligence. Common examples include:

• The lock stopped working without your interference; the cylinder is worn, the deadbolt jams, the strike plate is loose due to settling or age.
• Your landlord changed the locks without notice and didn’t give you a new key. This is technically illegal under Ontario law; you have a right to keys and access.
• A repair the landlord made went wrong; they replaced a lock incorrectly, or the new lock doesn’t work with your key.
• A break-in or attempted break-in damaged the lock, and the landlord was slow to fix it, forcing you to call an emergency locksmith.
• The landlord withheld keys intentionally to restrict your access (a rare but serious violation).

Responsibility for locksmith costs can depend on the circumstances of the lockout.

The Scenario Where You Probably Have to Pay

You’re responsible for the locksmith cost if the lockout resulted from your own actions or negligence. This includes:

• You lost your key. The lock works fine; you just don’t have a key anymore.
• You locked yourself out. You left your key inside, locked the door, and can’t get back in.
• You damaged the lock yourself. You forced the door, tampered with the lock, or broke the key off inside the cylinder.
• You misplaced the spare key your landlord gave you. Same as losing the main key; your responsibility.
• You refused to use the landlord’s preferred locksmith, insisting on an expensive 24 hour call instead of waiting until business hours.

Tenants should confirm responsibility for a self lockout with their landlord.

Emergency Locksmith Service Information

If you do end up paying for a locksmith tenant lockout call in the West GTA, here’s what the actual pricing looks like as of May 2026:

If a landlord refuses to reimburse you for a legitimate lockout caused by a building fault, you can file a complaint with the Landlord and Tenant Board. They often award the full cost plus interest, depending on the evidence. Keep your receipt and photographs of any lock damage.

The Gray Zone: What If the Cause Is Unclear?

Sometimes a lockout sits in the middle. You think the lock is defective; your landlord thinks you damaged it. The locksmith can’t tell without breaking in. So who pays?

In these disputes, the burden of proof falls on whoever makes the claim. If you say the lock failed, have the locksmith document it in writing: “cylinder worn, keys worn resistant, typical age related failure.” If your landlord claims you damaged it, they need photographic or witness evidence. The Landlord and Tenant Board may consider documentation when reviewing the dispute.

Honestly, this is where many disputes start: both sides have a story, and neither has evidence. That’s why you want the locksmith’s written assessment. A few extra minutes of documentation during the call can save you hundreds if it goes to the LTB.

How to Dispute the Cost (Landlord and Tenant Board Process)

If your landlord refuses reimbursement and you believe the lockout was their fault, you have recourse through the LTB. Here’s the process:

1. File a T6 application (tenant application for rent reduction or reimbursement). You can file online at tribunalsontario.ca.
2. Document everything: locksmith receipt, invoice, photos of the lock, text messages or emails with your landlord, and a written statement explaining the cause.
3. Gather evidence of negligence or defect: if the lock was old, ask the locksmith for a note about age-related wear. If the building has a history of lock failures, document those too.
4. Attend the hearing (usually virtual). Present your case and the locksmith’s assessment.
5. The LTB will order reimbursement if they find the landlord liable. They also award interest at 2% per year if the dispute takes months to resolve.

Landlord and Tenant Board application details should be confirmed directly with the Board.

Related Question We Often Hear

When the Answer Is Different

If You’re a Subtenant or Occupant Without a Lease

If you rent from a tenant (not the landlord directly), you still have some protections under Ontario law. The tenant/subtenant relationship can be a bit messier. A subtenant typically inherits the same lock/access rights, but disputes become more complex if the main tenant is uncooperative. Document everything and consider filing with the LTB against the head tenant if they refuse to cover a legitimate lockout caused by a building fault.

If You’re in a Condominium or Townhouse With a Condo Board

Condo units are more complex. The condo board typically handles common area locks, while your landlord handles your unit lock. If the lockout is due to a shared entrance or common lock, the condo board might be responsible. If it’s your unit, your landlord is. Check your condo documents and lease to be sure who owns what.

If This Is the Second or Third Lockout in a Year

Repeated lockouts start to look like tenant negligence, regardless of the first cause. Even if the first one was the landlord’s fault, the second and third are on you. Courts and the LTB are less sympathetic to tenants with a pattern of lost keys or carelessness. After the first incident, invest in a spare key holder mounted outside (if allowed) or a keypad deadbolt upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Do If You’re Locked Out Right Now

If you need an immediate locksmith in Mississauga, Etobicoke, or Lakeshore, here’s how to protect yourself financially:

1. Contact your landlord first. Text or call them and explain the situation. If they refuse to help, ask them to confirm in writing that you’re responsible for the cost , this becomes evidence if you dispute it later.
2. Ask the locksmith for a detailed receipt and written assessment. Include why the lock was inaccessible (worn cylinder, key damage, lock malfunction, etc.). This document is crucial if you later claim the landlord should reimburse.
3. Take photos of the lock and any visible damage. Timestamp them if possible.
4. Keep all receipts and documentation. Store them digitally and in print for at least two years.
5. If your landlord should cover the cost, send them a formal letter requesting reimbursement within 10 days. Reference the Ontario Residential Tenancies Act Section 82 and include the locksmith’s assessment.

Many landlords will reimburse once they see clear documentation. If they still refuse and you believe you’re right, file with the LTB.

How to Avoid Lockouts Altogether

Prevention beats disputes. Here are practical steps to avoid the whole situation:

• Keep a spare key with a trusted neighbor or friend nearby. This is faster and cheaper than a locksmith.
• Request a spare from your landlord when moving in. Get it in writing that you have one. Many landlords will provide this free of charge.
• Consider a keypad deadbolt upgrade. If your landlord approves, ask a locksmith about keypad lock options and pricing. You can do this with landlord consent; they may even split the cost.
• Use a key finder (Apple AirTag, Tile). Attach it to your key ring to help keep track of your keys.
• Establish a habit at the door. Every time you leave, physically touch your pocket or bag to confirm your keys are there before the door closes.

A spare key may help prevent a lockout.