pickmonger2 wrote:Thank you for confirming the concern.
It's one more good reason not to pick locks that are in use and that you do not own.
Screwing up the master keying system could be really serious in case of fire or medical emergency if the landlord can't get in.
You should never pick locks that are in use.. If you are picking a lock that is in regular use, it should be because the owner is locked out and needs it opened. If this is the case, and you are expected to do such a thing, you would have tools to do the job no matter what.
What I'm saying is, unless you're a locksmith and there is a need for it, you shouldn't be picking locks that are being used, for reasons just like this.
If you are the guy that is supposed to be picking on locks in use (most locksmiths don't pick at all), you're the guy that carries drills and bits and other tools to make sure you're getting in no matter what. You have Locks for replacement, you have blanks, you have a key cutter, a pinning kit, all that stuff in your van.
If you're picking on locks you don't own without the owners permission, you are breaking the law and should be put in jail. Yes this includes the door locks of your rental.
If you have the owners permission, you should always tell them there is a chance you might destroy the lock, and you should have more tools on you in case that happens.
It's not always because they don't have a key, sometimes locks fail, people put stuff in the keyway, break off keys half way in, etc...
You should have a replacement lock, blank keys, pins, drill, bits, key cutter, and other misc tools to make sure you can leave it the way it was before. That's an awful lot of stuff to have on hand, just to practice picking a lock in use, or break the law or whatever the case is.