Locksmith in Chelsea, Bonbeach and Edithvale

Chelsea, Bonbeach and Edithvale share the 3196 postcode and a long strip of beach between the Nepean Highway and Port Phillip. Each has its own Frankston line station, and the Chelsea Long Beach Trail runs along the foreshore. Behind the beach, apartment blocks, units and townhouses sit alongside older houses, and that changes the kind of locksmith job you're likely to need.

Homes in Chelsea, Bonbeach and Edithvale: what the Census tells us

Chelsea had 8,347 residents and 4,047 private dwellings at the 2021 Census. Its housing looks nothing like the Peninsula's:

• 41.7% of Chelsea dwellings are flats or apartments, compared with 12.1% across Victoria. Only 34.7% are separate houses.
• 23.5% are townhouses, units or semi-detached homes, against 13.9% for Victoria.
• 31.6% of homes are rented, above the Victorian average of 28.5%.
• The median age is 41.

Next door, the mix is different again:

• Bonbeach (6,855 residents): 47.6% of dwellings are townhouses, units or semi-detached homes, and 29.3% of homes are rented.
• Edithvale (6,276 residents): 31.6% flats or apartments, 50.5% separate houses, and 25.0% rented.

Sources: ABS 2021 Census QuickStats for Chelsea, Bonbeach and Edithvale.

Chelsea, Bonbeach and Edithvale are in the City of Kingston.

Locked out of an apartment or unit

In an apartment block, a lockout often means two locks: the building entry and your own door. Before you call:

1. Check with neighbours or the building manager if there's a fob or code for the front entry.
2. Call your property manager if you rent. They may hold a spare key.
3. If that fails, call 0418 334 503. Tell us the street, the unit number and how you get into the building.

Most standard locks can be opened without damage. You'll be asked to show you live there. That's there to protect you. More on emergency lockouts and what to do when you're locked out.

Body corporate locks and restricted keys

With more than half of Bonbeach homes and about two-thirds of Chelsea homes in units, townhouses or apartments, shared fixtures are a big part of the work:

• Letterbox keys can usually be cut straight from the lock.
• Entry doors, car park gates and bin rooms are normally controlled by the owners corporation. Check with them before anything is changed.
• Restricted key systems mean copies need authority from the owners corporation.

More on key cutting.

Lock changes and rekeying for rentals

Close to a third of Chelsea homes are rented, so keys pass through a lot of hands. Rekeying makes every old key stop working. Consumer Affairs Victoria says rental providers must make sure every external door has a working deadlatch with at least one cylinder, and windows need latches that secure them against entry from outside (Consumer Affairs Victoria). Renters generally need consent before changing locks. More on lock changes and rekeying and rekey or replace.

Car lockouts and car keys

Keys locked in the car at Chelsea, Edithvale or Bonbeach station, outside the Station Street shops in Chelsea, or in a beach car park along the foreshore? A mobile car locksmith can open most cars without damage and cut and program replacement keys for most common makes. Tell us the make, model and year. More on car lockouts and car key replacement.

Ground-floor units and sliding doors

Ground-floor units and townhouses often have a sliding door onto a courtyard with only a basic latch. A proper sliding door lock, keyed window locks and a deadlock on every external door are simple upgrades. So close to the bay, outdoor locks also need cleaning and lubrication now and then because of the salt air. More on security upgrades and securing a sliding door.

Areas covered

Chelsea, Bonbeach and Edithvale 3196, from the foreshore to the Edithvale Wetlands, plus neighbouring Carrum and Patterson Lakes, Seaford and Carrum Downs. Shops and offices can call about commercial locks too.

Local tip: If you rent an apartment, ask your property manager who holds keys to your door and the building entry. If a previous tenant never handed theirs back, ask about a rekey.