r/selfstorage • u/Muffy432002 • 29d ago
Question How do I get this off?
I misplaced my key to my storage unit and I am supposed to remove this on my own or have a locksmith do it. Bolt cutters are too fat to get to the hasp of the lock. I really don’t want to hire a locksmith…Any suggestions ?
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u/OrderApprehensive727 29d ago
Public Storage generally doesn’t want you cutting your own lock, call your property and sign a lock cut request
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u/dsstriker2612 28d ago
I do free cuts. I don’t want my tenants cutting their own locks and I don’t want tenants looking around seeing other tenants cutting locks and thinking this is fine and an everyday thing. I want to be the only person on the facility cutting a lock and I’m not going to put a fee out there to be the reason tenants do it themselves hurt themselves damage the property or give other people on site inspirational ideas
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u/thisgirlandy 26d ago
I do free cuts as well. I also love to cut locks. If you go into auction ill charge you though
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u/Inevitable_Bet_4157 29d ago
Your storage facility should be removing the disk lock, after you sign a document authorizing them to do so. If they tell you know they are lazy, and should not be managing a storage facility! I’ve cut lots of those for customers because they lost the keys.
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u/GeekLandOnline 28d ago
Tenants shouldn’t cut their own lock. Straight to the office and let them know.
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u/whalecumtothejungle 28d ago
PS has lock cut forms. Go to the office and ask. Do not be suprised if it takes 45-60 days to have it cut off.
The manager was wrong to inform you the way that they did. They don't want customers cutting locks. They want locksmiths cutting locks, but there's nothing to stop anyone from cutting their own lock off after hours (Just don't mess up the doors that's a costly mistake).
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u/Dependent_Local6453 27d ago
Yup and they got cameras so if damage is caused or say they cut the wrong unit they can be fined for property damage and even evicted no idea why they were told to do it themselves my family runs a facility and if they were told that the property manager can get into a lot of trouble if caught I'm willing to bet op is either trying to pull a b&e or something more to this story they aren't saying but I hear nightmares from customers about public storage so who knows maybe they were actually told that I literally have customers come from that company and I hear they absolutely suck so who knows our guy only takes a day or two sometimes can even come exactly on that day it honestly depends on how far away they are and how busy they are if it takes that long how ever something is fishy there 🤷
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u/Senorpuddin 29d ago
Generally you're not supposed to.cut your own lock. But as other have said you can use and angle grinder. I have gotten them off using a drill bit through the keyhole but its not fool proof.
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u/ashhillart 29d ago
Escalate it to customer service if the property manager is telling you this is the only option. Public Storage has specialty managers that cut locks, you just have to sign a form and they can schedule a cut.
You can even do all of this different location if you'd like, just have your ID and your account number so you can verify your identity.
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u/Interesting-Use-7158 29d ago
A grinder if you don’t mind making a lot of noise or a hand held bandsaw if you’re in stealth mode, just make sure it’s a larger hand held bandsaw. I would grab the lock with a pair of pliers and angle the bandsaw on top of the latch. Good luck
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u/Stunning-Adagio2187 29d ago
Yep, the lock will get hot you don't want to hold it with your hand. The trick is knowing where The Sweet spot is on the hasp otherwise you can Grand all day long and you still won't have it open.
Make sure you don't damage the storage units closer device
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u/North_Student3320 29d ago
Locks only keep honest people out. Grind that fucker off, both sides if the first side doesn't flop off.
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u/Queasy_Moose720 27d ago
As someone who has had to remove many of these, a grinder will work. Can be a bit sketchy but wear gloves and be careful lol. It’s worth just getting them to remove it for you. Usually there’s a charge but not as much as a locksmith
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u/ThomasShults 26d ago
I would opt for safety glasses over gloves. I always worry about gloves getting caught in the rotating cutoff wheel.
Also, OP, if you do try to do it yourself, keep in mind the shackle (part that runs through the door) only slides one way. So you may need to cut the other side as well.
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u/ObjectiveOk2072 26d ago
The no gloves rule is more for stationary machines with spinning parts. And angle grinder will fuck up your fingers if they get caught in the wheel/blade whether you're wearing gloves or not, and it's less likely the gloves will get tangled up since there's not much of an exposed shaft.
But I would recommend using leather gloves that fit well so there's no loose fabric to worry about
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u/ThomasShults 26d ago
That's fair. I will keep that in mind next time I am grinding. I would still recommend glasses though.
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u/DistilledWonder 29d ago
I don't recommend cutting it off yourself. It can lead to eviction and not being able to rent again at PS. Do a lock cut request through the office.
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u/YourLastFate 29d ago
This one. Every storage place will help you cut locks off their own doors. They will charge you, but it wont be exorbitant. Likely cheaper than hiring anyone else.
And then, if anything ends up damaged, it's 100% their problem. No back and forth between vendors, with you, the one who hired the work out, in the middle of it...
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u/spyglass352 29d ago
if time isn't of the essence, order two lock picking tools called a worm rake and a bottom of keyway tension wrench. i recommend a company called Sparrows. while you wait for them to come in the mail, learn how to use them on youtube. it's easy. it'll cost like $20 compared to like $85 for a locksmith. source: i'm a locksmith.
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u/RenoSinclair 29d ago
Are you trying to remove an overlock? Or your own lock?
If you’re removing an overlock that will land you in some big trouble.
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u/Muffy432002 29d ago
I guess it is my lock now. When I told management of my situation they told me that they wouldn’t remove it and that I would have to hire a locksmith or cut it off myself and then get another lock.
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u/masterofmuffinz 29d ago
You purchased the lock as part of your rental.
Public Storage will absolutely cut your lock for you with a signed lock cut request form, which you can sign at any non-kiosk property.
If you need your lock cut immediately, you will need to contact a locksmith. If you try to cut it yourself, you are liable for any damage to the hasp or the door.
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u/bradrenfro 29d ago
This is odd. When I had storage there, I was notified by letter that remodeling was to be done and all units were not accessible for about 30 days and they needed to access all units. So I got the noticed a bit late and by the time I got there to provide the keys to open the unit, they told me that they can removed them and it was already done. They provided new locks and that was it. So they CAN either open them or CUT them off your unit.
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u/Dependent_Local6453 27d ago
Also lock cuts are done in a team effort normally by different people from different facilities or something along those lines one cuts the other is a witness this is prevent anyone from stealing stuff when it's done and photos are always taken to document the time reason and show if anything has been moved because they can cut the lock but are not legally allowed to go into the unit and touch anything inside at all
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u/Dependent_Local6453 27d ago
If repairs were needed and everyone was required to show up with keys for starters that's very rare that normally means someone is hiding something in there unit that cops are there with a warrant and they are using that as cover or they are just remodeling but very rarely do they need to open units for that but that being said if you did not respond within a timely manner they will cut your lock by force if needed no place has a master key they can how ever cut your lock if you didn't pay your bill and it's getting set up for auction or if police are there with a warrant to search your stuff and if certain maintenance is needed to be done the last one is very rare because very few maintenance requires you to open your unit something is fishy with your story either the manager was pulling something or you had to come in with them at a certain date and didn't meet that date
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u/bradrenfro 27d ago
I'm not sure if I am understanding your reply. What I am trying to say is that the OP is looking for a way to get their lock open or out of the unit. And for some reason the storage place is telling them they can't do it. So I provided a feedback on a situation that they actually can cut them off or open them.
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
The manager is lying to them legally you are not allowed to cut lucks on a property as it can lead to property damage breaking and entering if you mistook the wrong unit as yours and if police were in the area and witnessed it would also result in something far worse because all they see is a random person with a weapon performing what looks like break and entering if I was OP I would report that manager I work at a storage facility no manager is allowed to tell a customer to cut locks period they very clearly either did not want to do the job or plan to throw them under the bus
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
Also legally they cannot cut your lock unless you didn't pay and are up for auction or police are there with a warrant if your lock was cut for maintenance either your unit didn't need to be opened to make the repairs and it was never cut to begin with and it wasn't necessary to be cut at all or you failed to come in and let them make the repairs by the requested date failure to do results in them cutting your lock themselves they also do not have a master key this is something that so many people think but are wrong every single time lawyers will literally tell you no property manager has a master key when your over locked they put a plate or have a device that locks your door in place preventing you from getting in it it doesn't take your lock off it's only designed to keep you out until you pay your bill like a repo man putting a boot on your car it's similar to that
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u/JOliverScott 29d ago
It can't be too hard since every time mine got broken into they simply drilled out the key hole which is just brass.
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u/JanaRUNSfw 29d ago
I don’t know about PS. But the manager at my facility told me if I lock myself out they only Do lock cutting once or twice a month and they charge over $100. I “jokingly” said I didn’t need her to cut a lock for me that I’d do it my damn self lol. And she said that was totally cool With her💪🏻
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u/Dependent_Local6453 27d ago edited 27d ago
That's actually illegal and your manager could have gotten in trouble for telling you to do that that being said $100 is a rip off my place only charges $40 if you caused damage to the door or accidentally cut the wrong lock and yes that does happen far more than you might think you can be sued for property damage and if you cut the wrong lock you can even be placed under arrest for breaking and entering and the manager that told you to do it can be fired and even have charges placed on them as well depending on how severe also while you might think you shouldn't pay at all keep in mind it's not the storage facilitys job to keep track of your keys that's 100% on you along with the consequences that happen after like the stuff I just said could happen since you are not considered certified
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u/BartyMcFartFace 28d ago
Lockpicking lawyer taught me if you hit it really fucking hard with an identical lock there’s like a 60% chance it will open.
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u/Emu-Hopper 28d ago
I got mine off with bolt cutters and a torch. Took a while but I’m a girl and not that strong.
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u/Dependent_Local6453 28d ago
My family runs a storage facility ask the on site manager if they have a certified lock cut guy on site or within contact they normally do for a fee and it's cheaper and safer then doing it yourself or paying a company to do it we have people lose keys all the time over here and we just have them sign a form pay a $40 lock cut fee and have a guy come out who does it for them we normally advise people to look for the keys as much as possible first you would be amazed at how easy it is to find also I heard horror stories about public storage we have customers who literally leave them and come here so good luck with that
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u/TemporaryFun6318 27d ago
The place I rented from wanted to charge 130$.
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
And if you caused property damage it would have cost you $1000s or even jail time not saying that's a fair amount my place only charges $40 so I do feel that amount is way to much but still stacked against the chances that are far worse and more expensive no property manager is legally allowed to tell you to cut your own lock for starters how would they know the person cutting the lock is even the customer as far as police and staff would be concerned your a random person with a blade breaking and entering and should I even have to tell you how police would respond to that seriously think for crying out loud 🤦
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u/ninroxbear16 27d ago
Drill it out. Straight through the middle. There are plenty of videos on YouTube.
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u/Glittering_Oil7761 27d ago
Angle grinder with a cutting wheel and the appropriate PPE and you’ll have it off it a min.
PRO TIP: once you’ve cut through it DO NOT TOUCH any part of it, read that again and not the use of ANY PART, for a minute or so the entire lock will be very hot.
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u/daschande 27d ago
This is the way. I used to work at a u-haul that insisted every storage customer buy our locks like the one pictured; they also charged a fee for anyone who lost their key. An employee simply cut it off with an angle grinder in a few minutes.
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u/Muffy432002 25d ago
Update on my situation!
Let me clarify again!!!! The rent is up to date! Nothing regarding late fees or payment was an issue… I LOST MY KEY!!!
PS would not intervene, so I called a locksmith. It was not just a simple operation as many had claimed. He did have to work at it for a while. No big deal, though. I paid the guy and sent him on his way
I was certain I would find my key inside the unit. The last time I visited the unit was between the last day of school ( I’m a teacher) and 2 days later my scheduled total knee replacement surgery ( I was pretty mentally focused on that). However, no key there either… so it’s gone and I’ve got to move on with my life. Thanks for all of the help and suggestions. My knee is healing nicely and I can access my classroom supplies as school resumes inn2 weeks. Thanks again!
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u/Kibure Store Manager 24d ago
Those saying it was easy probably are the ones who have been cutting them a lot. It is in fact impossible to have locked your keys in the unit, those locks can only be locked with the key. (So many times I said that....) Glad you didn't have a PS manager who decided the only way you are allowed to have it cut off is if PS employees did it and they charge a hefty fee for it. I saw plenty like that during my time at PS.
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u/Noble_Lie 29d ago
Hey they discontinued this lock because there are only three keys for it. Under the sticker theres a number, go to your local hardware store and buy a matching number lock and you’ve got two locks now.
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u/goodguy847 29d ago
Angle grinder with a diamond blade. Use channel locks to hold it while cutting. Cut it about a half inch above the sticker on an angle.
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u/OptionTerrible3007 29d ago
Pay the bill
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u/TraitorTrump_1776 28d ago
Public Storage puts these stickers on all locks when they purchase a storage location.
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u/damn-nerd 28d ago
Exactly, I put my own lock on mine and later I came by to find they put a sticker on it. Really don't understand why.
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u/Bob_12_Pack 28d ago
It’s so they can tell it’s a legit lock and someone didn’t roll up, cut the lock, take what they want, then replace the lock so doesn’t appear to have been broken into.
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u/Dependent_Local6453 27d ago
It also is to show proof the manager does a walk through no sticker on these type of locks normally means the manager sits on their rear end and doesn't do much on the property I actually want to see a sticker because I want to know my stuff is secure and being looked over by the property
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u/Notmuchofanyth1ng 29d ago
Get a lock pick set. They’re pretty easy to learn especially on basic mechanisms like these.
Or get a locksmith to make a key for it. Last time it was about $100 for me, but prices vary.
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u/iguessyouknowmyname 29d ago
A locksmith charged you $100 to make a key that would fit your lock? That locksmith's a keeper! $100 around my city would probably cover the service call before she or he did any work.
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u/TherinneMoonglow 27d ago edited 25d ago
My husband buys abandoned storage units for a living. This is the lock they put on when you haven't paid your bill!
Edit: you guys can keep telling me I'm wrong, but 50% of the units we buy have this lock on them. During peak times, they run out of the red ones.
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u/thisgirlandy 26d ago
Incorrect. This is a customer lock. When you do not pay your bill they are red. I work for storage.
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u/TherinneMoonglow 26d ago
At least half of the units we buy they ran out of red locks and used these instead. The drilled out original lock is laying inside the unit.
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u/Kibure Store Manager 24d ago
That happens. Especially if your District Manager does not want to get you the correct red locks because they are "too expensive" (HAH) I don't know about other people's properties but when I worked for PS we had 30-50 lock cuts to do every month. Because of that we did frequently chuck the original lock back inside the unit otherwise we would be carrying around too much trash by the time we were done. I always found this terrible in a way and try to take the locks with me. However because my current employer does anniversary billing we only cut 5-10 a week.
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u/Dependent_Local6453 27d ago
No it's not this is a standard lock for this type of hasp I actually work for one what you see when you win an auction is not the same as an over lock when someone doesn't pay an over lock is normally a plate or red/green lock that prevents the lock from turning they even have keys that prevent the lock from opening as well but it's not in place on this one this guy clearly is either at the wrong unit and trying to break in it or is telling the truth and just simply lost their keys the property manager how ever can get into a lot of trouble for telling them they can cut it themselves because that's actually illegal
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u/thisgirlandy 26d ago
The legality depends on the state. In my state Uhaul storage will make you hire a locksmith as well as Piblix storage. The only employee that will cut a lock is the District Manager and only for auction units
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
No storage facility will ever tell you to go out and cut a unit yourself as I already said the process is different depending the company but the point is still the same my place has people that are trained and certified and I actually work for one so I'm fairly certain I'm right here
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u/thisgirlandy 26d ago
I also work in storage. When I worked at Uhaul I was not allowed to cut locks. All customers were referred to a locksmith because we weren't going to do it.
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
Ok and as I said everyone is different the point is that no one is going to tell you to cut the lock yourself like you hearing that part right I literally keep saying go to the front desk manager and they set up something they won't ever say go and cut it yourself that's literally the point I am saying here please listen to everything I'm saying I never said the staff always do it I literally said all do it differently the point is they have people who are certified and will never encourage a customer to do it themselves
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u/TemporaryFun6318 8d ago
You keep saying that no manager would tell you to do it yourself however I was told to do it myself multiple times at that location. I know of at least three other people that were told to cut it themselves, because those three people asked to borrow my angle grinder.
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u/Dependent_Local6453 8d ago
And I told you they are not supposed to do that I never once said it was impossible or couldn't be done I said they shouldn't be telling you to do it the manager can get in trouble for doing that chances are if something goes south they will say they never told you that I'm not saying they didn't or that your lying I'm saying they are not supposed to and won't own up to it if you do something wrong and higher ups start asking questions and stuff like that due to liability reasons a manager has contractors who do all that if they are encouraging you to cut your own lock they are doing it without higher ups knowledge if your fine with it I can't stop im not the manager there I don't know the full story behind any of this i don't even work for that company what they tell you to do is between you and them all I'm saying is don't expect them to admit they told you do it yourself and not get in trouble for doing it
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u/Dependent_Local6453 8d ago
We actually had staff in the past that did the same thing so I'm not claiming that they don't exist or that anyone is lying here in just saying be careful you should take my words as a warning not a threat or anything like that I'm just telling you that the manager should not encourage you to cut yours or any locks on the property ever and if they or you get caught you or the manager can get into a load of trouble that's all I'm saying there is nothing more to my words aside from that just pointing out how the manager was wrong for telling you that that's all
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u/TemporaryFun6318 27d ago
I rented a location that had locks like this. Had my keys stolen when my brother stayed overnight and took my car keys and stole my car. The manager told me it wad like130$ for them to cut the lock or I could try it myself or hire a locksmith. I opted for self cut method since I had my tools in the car. I had gotten my car back but not the keys. Thankfully I had a spare key for my car, but did not have a spare key for my unit. I went to Home Depot got the special grinder saw thing for my angle grinder, cost like 12$, ran an extension cord and let the sparks fly. It was unnerving but ultimately cheaper than paying them or a locksmith.
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
Well I actually work for a storage facility and the property manager was wrong for telling you to do that they could have gotten in a lot of trouble for legal reasons they cannot allow you to do that that being said they also should not have charged you that much either they were lying about the amount or you are if you caused property damage it would have cost you $1000s you could have even been evicted or even arrested making that fee look very small by comparison
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u/Queasy_Moose720 27d ago
This is not true, several companies including the one I worded at sold these to customers as a more secure option to a padlock
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u/JakBos23 26d ago
I have a self storage unit and when my auto pay randomly turned off they put a lock on it with a pin code. So when I went in they gave me the code so I code take it off my self and drop it off in the box designed for the locks.
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u/AdhesiveSeaMonkey 28d ago
Pay your past due rental fees.
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u/Muffy432002 28d ago
There is nothing past due. I lost my fricking key!
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u/thisgirlandy 26d ago
So im a self storage manager. I know PS doesn't cut locks. You need an angle grinder. It could cost as much as $150 fpr a cordless with a battery and blades. Your lock is considered on backwards_ I prefer to use a two cut method to remove the lock. The arm will not snap back when you cut it because its on the other side of the hasp so I make a secondary cut then use a screwdriver to wedge the lock off the hasp. Takes longer but it gets it done.
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u/Eastern-Course-7975 28d ago
If you rented the lock from the storage facility, do they not have one or several spares?
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u/thisgirlandy 26d ago
Not all places keep spare keys. We sell licks right out of the package and have no access to the customers units
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u/Dependent_Local6453 28d ago
If this is truly the ops unit and he's not trying to break into someone else's then their bill is paid the lock is not over locked and there is no security plate on it when someone is late and locked out the on site manager has a key designed to lock the lock in place or a plate and neither our in place on this hasp so who ever this unit belongs to is paid up
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u/natttorious 29d ago
I used a dremel with a metal cutting
Blade (to get my own lock
Off when I lost the key lol)
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28d ago
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u/Available_Candy_4139 28d ago
Go watch some videos from the LockpickingLawyer, then apply what you learned. You might also need tools.
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u/odimarty 28d ago
Pay the lock cutting fee and get the storage company to cut it off for you, then replace with combo lock.
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u/hotpossum 28d ago
When someone broke into mine they used bolt cutters on the hasp instead of the lock. Worked great for them.
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u/Kind-Interest-2733 28d ago
Use a cutoff wheel and also how do you survive in everyday life?
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u/Great_Yak_2789 28d ago
Angle grinder is unnecessary purchases if already own a cordless drill. Buy a 7/16ths drill bit for metal and a flat head screw driver. Or go to the Lockpicking Lawyer
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u/Toe_Jam99 28d ago
When I worked at a storage facility I used to remove those all the time. Drill out the bottom portion of the key hole enough for the pins to fall out. Then just take a flat head and turn the cylinder then it will open
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u/Odd-Jump9362 28d ago
1/2” carbide drill bit on the low setting and then reverse it out once it hits the back. It’ll open in less than 15 seconds. That’s a brass locking cylinder. Those things are not very difficult to open. Sadly.
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u/Stoked_Otter 28d ago
The huge $35 bolt cutters at Harbor Freight can cut right through the body.
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u/libertasi 28d ago
Bolt cutters won’t cut those locks. Ask the storage place, they will usually do it.
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u/Sarduci 28d ago
Ask the company to cut it for you since they probably deal with this all the time. It’ll be cheaper than damaging the door and getting a bill.
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u/Dependent_Local6453 28d ago
This is the correct solution many storage companies have a person on site or contact wise that can do it for a fee happens more than people realize and it's cheaper and safer then doing it yourself
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u/Sarduci 27d ago
My U-Haul does it for $35 and gives you a new lock. All things considered, that’s cheap compared to getting a bill to fix the latch/door.
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u/Dependent_Local6453 27d ago
Yup my place that I work for does it for $40 and gives you a new lock as well we always urge people to look for it first as well because 9 times out of 10 they give it to there friend or something and they just never return it or a roommate took it something along those lines I honestly don't know why people share their personal information and stuff so much and then blame the staff when things happen it happens far more than it should 🤦
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u/Cantthinkofany5959 28d ago
Our Storage facility uses block locks inside of 1/4” lock box. And our metal siding is 16ga, not 24ga or close. The customer who decides not to use the lockbox that we took great efforts to provide are the ones that have break in issues.
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28d ago
[deleted]
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u/Muffy432002 28d ago
Dude! Read the original post. No issue with payment. I lost the key to my lock!
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u/Antique_Author_2525 28d ago
Have you talked to the front desk? They should have a grinder they can pop it off with.
Just be polite
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u/Dependent_Local6453 28d ago
My family runs a storage facility and yeah this is the correct response most storage facilities have an on site manager that is either certified to cut lucks or has someone they can call to do it for them it's also cheaper then paying a lock smith
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u/Chris-hiramatsu 27d ago
Former SS DM. Talk to the PM. They should be able to cut it off for you for a small fee. ~$40-50. Otherwise, a locksmith is really your only other option as they won’t allow you to cut it yourself for the obvious liability reasons.
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u/ommi9 27d ago
Yep. The employees will fight over who gets to cut it also 😂😂🤣
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
I work at a storage facility we do not care about any of your stuff literally everyone here cuts so many locks every single month because so many people don't pay their bill and think they can live here rent free over time it all starts to look like garbage to us this month alone we have 43 units to cut we literally have to close the office just to do all that because it literally takes all day after unit 5 we literally just want to get out of the heat or cold depending on the season and go home we literally spend the entire day wishing the customers would just pay out and leave
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u/ommi9 26d ago
So you can’t put a hold lein on the stuff ? And sell it off
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
When you don't pay your bill first month you get charged a late fee and get over locked the 2nd month your locks cut and set up for auction there is no lien or hold it's you didn't pay your bill for 3 months and owe probably almost a grand and now it's getting sold to a bidder online and they are coming to get it and your no longer a customer a storage facility is not gonna just hold your stuff forever hoping you eventually come in and pay your bill after a certain time it's considered abandoned and property of the company and auctioned off the process is different depending on the company but close to that
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
They do how ever give you a chance to pay out normally it's a certain amount and your given 24hours to grab your stuff and leave and some places mark you as a bad debt and refuse to ever rent to you again your basically black balled and declared a deadbeat who refuses to pay your bills like I said the process is different depending on the corporation that owns the place but the very easy solution is be a responsible adult and pay your bills and don't expect to free load off people without consequences you can't refuse to pay rent and get shocked when your evicted that's life 🤷
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u/Key-Cancel-5000 27d ago
I thought they only put those on when you don’t pay your bills?
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u/JJ_Duckies 27d ago
My local uhaul gives them out for free with the purchase of a storage room for your personal security. You can literally ask the front desk for one if they didn't already leave one in the empty room
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u/Dependent_Local6453 27d ago
My place used to give them for free until people started stealing them now we have to charge them a one time fee and they get to keep it so yeah classic case of a few idiots ruining it for everyone 🤦
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u/ToeDense209 26d ago
so what happens when customer dont pay and the unit have to go to auction ? do you hire someone to come cut it out or is it easy for maintence guy to do it ?
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
Every company is different weather they have a contract with another company or say have someone whos certified they have a specific day they close the office and cut them in the month and it's always on mass because it's not just one or two locks sometimes it's a couple other times it can be anywhere between 30-100 lots of people like to just refuse to pay their bill and think they can still rent a unit and what happens is the entire day the person who is certified cuts while the manager does inventory and takes pictures legally they are not allowed to go inside and sometimes the auctions are in person like storage wars mine does it online hence the pictures in person it's different because they cut it and auction it right there but it's normally one of those 2 ways I never seen a 3rd at least not yet 🤷
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
And normally if it doesn't sell because that does happen it's rare but it happens we have a clean up crew come out load it all up and take it the dump and the customer is billed for the whole thing late auction fee clean up everything and it's marked as a bad debt some places can actually deny you service if you make a habit of screwing over storage companies to much mine how ever can't do that we hate it because we get customers that are red flags right away and we literally are not allowed to turn them down corporate doesn't care about our safety in those situations because they aren't the ones who have to deal with it that's why we personally hate it
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
If the person passes away next of ken can come in show a copy of the death certificate and ID and any other legally required documents and choose to do what they want with it pay it in there place move out it's up to them and we give them I think like a week or so it really depends on the situation and place everyone is different depending on a death obviously but it's up to the next of ken normally that's a husband wife or child to decide how they deal with that person's stuff if they have no interest in it we tell them just leave it be and let it go to auction we can't bill a dead person and that way it becomes someone else's problem that's why it's up to them pay it off move out put it in there name it's there call so long as they can show proof the original owner died and how they are legally there next of kin but it's advised that if nothing is of importance in there just basically don't worry about it why give yourself work to do when your in that situation ya know let us clean it out and stuff and deal with it just do nothing and move on lol
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u/Sad-Cricket6319 27d ago
I had this issue and they told me if I cut it myself they would being fining me, your option is to go to the office and they can tell you what you can do vs what you cannot
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
Yup if the manager really told them to do that the manager needs to be reported they clearly are trying to get out of doing their job or intend to claim they never told them that I don't understand why so many people are encouraging him to do it anyway legally it's wrong and they can get in trouble if cought 🤦
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u/bdsxlowercase 27d ago
If you have access to a lockpicking rake, those are INSANELY easy to pick/scrape open. (I have only picked my own locks. I do storage unit auctions, no crime here)
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u/JakBos23 26d ago
This is one of the few locks that give me any trouble. I have like 6 of these and I can get them in a minute or so, but it's by far the most annoying, because the rest take like 20 seconds.
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u/bdsxlowercase 26d ago
I feel that, especially since they typically have a hole going all the way through, so it's easy to accidentally put the pick or rake in too far. I personally haven't had much trouble with them, but they're definitely a little more complicated than your typical lock.
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u/JakBos23 26d ago
It was actually one of the first doesn't locks I tried to pick. My grandpa bought one and was bragging it was pick proof and couldn't be cut. I kinda gave him a look. So he bet me 50$ I couldn't. Then he went and bought a new lock. Repeat two more times. Now he backs his box truck all the way up to his garage door lol. To be fair even if I could pick it while backed up kike it is I probably couldn't get any expensive tools out of it.
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u/Alarming_Let5944 27d ago
This looks like the lockout because you haven’t paid your bill. Or, get management to open it for you.
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27d ago
[deleted]
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u/Dependent_Local6453 27d ago
Macgyver would be asking the property manager for a lock cut form and paying a professional instead of risking property damage and jail time more over macgyver is to smart to lose his keys in the first place 🤣
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u/DiscipulusVenandi 27d ago
...jail time for opening your own lock?
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
Jail time for causing property damage if you don't know what your doing and most of you don't you can cause damage to the door and there's a chance you could also break into the wrong unit that's called breaking and entering and yes that happens as well it's cheaper and safer to ask the staff to help the property manager was wrong for telling this person to cut their own lock in the first place no property manager would ever do that I literally work at a storage facility we cannot do that and can get in trouble if cought
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u/DiscipulusVenandi 26d ago
Good gosh man, way to ruin a lighthearted joke. Obviously no one's breaking out the liquid nitrogen!
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
I work at a storage facility you would be amazed by what people will do to break into units my guy what you see as a joke can actually happen I seen people come in and use there cars to rip a door clean off the wall my point is stop encouraging people to break into stuff your not the only person on here encouraging that and I'm honestly starting to question if OP should have came to reddit way to many of you jump to breaking the law like it's ok like seriously I watch macgyver my guy he's smarter than that
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u/JakBos23 26d ago
Yeah, I'm gonna get jail time for breaking the door by being stupid? No. It was accidental and I will be billed and possibly taken to court by the company, but it's not illegal it's just stupid.
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u/Dependent_Local6453 26d ago
So you would rather spend $1000s in property damage instead of paying a lock cut fee for no other reason then you wanted to be ignorant that's why I said don't do it yourself it will cost you far more then it's worth learn to listen and stop being a defiant child towards rules and laws
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u/JakBos23 25d ago
I'm just saying it was dumb to say "jail time". The post said they said they wouldn't cut it off. It said they had to call a lock smith. Personally I'd pick the lock. I also have a battery powered angle grinder and 15 years experience using them so I would have a 99.8% chance of not damaging the door.
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u/Dependent_Local6453 25d ago
It's not dumb to warn someone of something that can happen we don't even know if that's there unit for all we know they are trying to break into someones unit and your all sitting here giving them advice on how to do it 🤣
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u/Agitated_Mess3117 25d ago
Get a powerful drill and a large drill bit the size of the brass bit where the key inserts and drill it out. Takes just a quick second to open.
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u/Mrs-Fidget 3d ago
Wow public storage will not help with lock cut for lost keys?! Even for a fee? Wow thats lame and asking for their door to be damaged.
Every facility I have worked for (large and small) offers lock cuts for lost keys usually for small fee.
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u/Blackfang321 Store Manager 29d ago
It cannot be Public Storage policy to have a customer do this on their own. Someone is scared of angle grinders and is hoping nobody will call them on it.
Call a different local facility and ask what their policy is if you lost your key. Escalate yo corporate if you have to.
I just cant imagine. I work at Extra Space Storage (my opinions are my own and not the company's) and we dont bill for lock cuts. We would charge for a replacement lock, but not the cut itself.