To think this is extortionate

[Butterflykissess]

I've lost my house keys, I've searched high and low. I've been looking for at least 2 hours. Even in the wheelie bins. Realistically there is nowhere else for me to look now. I called the council and apparently it is £94 for a locksmith. Aibu in thinking that is ridiculous? How do they justify that. I simply can't afford that amount. I know I should have had a spare (I did silly me gave it to my nephew when he stayed here and he never gave it back, now doesn't know where it is.)

It is literally, unscrew, turn key slightly, pull out lock cylinder. Take to shop for a new one. push it in, screw back in. Done.

I tried looking on YouTube but honestly I'm the worst at diy even watching the videos confused me. Looks like I'm going to have to pay it just Gonna hit me hard.

a family member has done this before and she's not got a practical bone in her body - seriously give it a proper go. try another video if the one you viewed was rubbish, unless you have an unusual lock, the route to avoiding the cost if it's too high is try!

My son has thrown my keys in the bin a few times
Trouser pockets
coat pockets
Fruit bowl
Top of microwave ?

It's a council house. And obviously the council offer that service which is £94 and yes I am in SE London .

He literally buried them
And my wallet I had to use rubber gloves and rake through I was gagging

Think we were £80 over 10 years ago.

I can afford £90 for a lock but you'd still find me in that wheelie bin OP! Get in there and save yourself a lot of money.

That's the inside. Doesn't look like any of the ones I've seen online tbh. I've tried as much as I can with the bins without pouring the lot out which I won't be doing

It’s a thumb turn cylinder lock.

the screw is on the bit in the middle where the door closes into the frame, not the either of the sides with the handles.

www.screwfix.com/c/security-ironmongery/thumbturn-euro-cylinders/cat810310

£94 - market rate (if not slightly below) . So it isn’t unreasonable , but very annoying for you!

Found ours in the fridge once and behind a radiator another time.

When you saw them this morning what were you wearing? Maybe in a dressing gown pocket? What were you doing?

I'm forever leaving mine on the car roof!

Check the clothes you were wearing again, washing machine, toilets. Give a reward to whichever child finds them. If it's a safe area, have a neighbour sit in the house for you when you take the kids to school and buy a new barrel lock on the way back?

Seriously OP check everywhere...my D'S managed to hide them in my wardrobe right at the back and in a knee high boot I hadn't worn in 5 months....keep looking

It sounds about right. i think it was even dearer than that in Car Share.

Don't call them out yet. Might still turn up!

Don't give up hope, just keep on looking even in the places you've looked before, they will turn up.

If you think they are in the bin you need to get your rubber gloves on and dive in, getting a bit dirty is well worth £94 that you haven't got

Your dad is coming can he help you fit the replacement lock?

I think that's very reasonable for a locksmith, TBH. A shame you cannot break into your property and change the locks yourself.

OP is not locked out. Door is unlocked and she's inside...

Do you have a bar of chocolate at home that you could offer as a 'prize' to which ever child finds your missing keys, in case one of them did hide them?