How to Avoid or Fix a Jammed Lockbox

There are few things more embarrassing to a real estate agent than taking a client to a home and encountering a jammed lockbox.

If this has happened to you, we feel your pain. If this hasn’t happened to you, here are a few suggestions to make sure it never happens—saving you time, money and many headaches.

Where to Place the Key

The key pouch is marked with a green sticker key image, indicating that this is the correct area to place your key(s).

Where NOT to Place the Key

On the back of the box is an image of a key with a circle and line cutting through it. This indicates that you should not place the key back there whatsoever, as this can jam the lockbox.

Jammed Lockbox Encounters

Should you encounter a stuck lockbox, Supra has provided a few tips on how to get things working again.

“Grasp the keybox with one hand, then reach under the keybox and try to wiggle the key container to loosen it, then try to obtain the key again. If it appears that a house key is jammed between the keybox and the key container, AND the keybox is yours, try sliding a thin strong object such as a metal fingernail file up between the inside of the keybox and the key container, to dislodge it.

“If you are unable to loosen the key container, AND the keybox is yours, remove the keybox from the listing and contact your Association/MLS for further instructions.”

Note: If the keybox is NOT yours, please contact the listing agent and let them know there is a problem with the keybox. Please do not attempt anything that could cause damages to someone else’s keybox.”

Obstructed lockboxes are a real thing that can happen to anyone at any time. While misplacing a key seems innocent, it can easily delay or spoil a listing for the next agent. Remember, only you can prevent jammed lockboxes.