House break-in? What to do next in Queensland

What should I do first after a house break-in?

Get safe first, then report it. Call 000 if the offender could still be nearby. If they've gone, report the house break-in to Policelink on 131 444 or online. After that, work out what's missing, tell your insurer and your property manager, secure the house, and book a locksmith for any lock that was forced.

1. 1Step 1: Check it's safe. If you hear someone inside or think they're still close, get to a place of safety and call 000.
2. 2Step 2: Report it. If the offender has gone, call Policelink on 131 444 or use the online break-in form. Write down any reference number you're given.
3. 3Step 3: Ask before you tidy. When you report, ask whether police are coming out and whether you can clean up yet.
4. 4Step 4: List what's missing. Include house keys, spare keys, car keys and garage remotes, because they change what you do about the locks.
5. 5Step 5: Tell the people who need to know. That's your insurer, and your property manager or owner if you rent.
6. 6Step 6: Secure the house. Try every outside door and window and make sure each one locks or latches.
7. 7Step 7: Book a locksmith for any lock that was forced, and for any lock whose key is missing.

What if someone is still inside the house?

Don't go in. Queensland Police says that if you hear an offender in the home, or suspect they're still nearby, get yourself to a place of safety and call Triple Zero (000) at the earliest opportunity. If they've gone and nobody is in danger, call Policelink on 131 444 or report online.

The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) gives three tests for calling 000 after a break-in. Call if the crime is happening now. Call if your life or someone else's is threatened. Call if the suspected offenders are still in the area. One yes is enough.

How do I report a house break-in in Queensland?

If nobody's in danger and the offender has gone, call Policelink on 131 444 or report the break-in online. Queensland Police has an online break-in form for when you don't need officers to attend straight away. Keep any reference number you're given with your records.

The Policelink reporting page on the Queensland Police website lists a break-in form alongside forms for stolen property and property damage. Can't find the right form? Queensland Police says to call 131 444. The RTA describes that number as answering around the clock.

When can I clean up?

When you report, ask Policelink whether officers are coming out and when it's fine to clean up. Taking photos first gives you a record of how things looked.

Will insurance cover the damage?

That depends on your policy. The RTA says tenants' contents insurance is for their own belongings, and that some landlord policies with building cover may pay for damage caused by a break-in. Ask your insurer what's covered and what excess applies before you approve big repairs.

Where can I get support?

Being burgled is upsetting even when little was taken. Queensland's Office of the Victims' Commissioner says property crime may leave you feeling scared, upset and unsure what to do next. Its online Victim's Pathway explains how reporting works, what happens afterwards and what support is available.

Should I change the locks after a break-in?

Yes, if any house key, spare key or garage remote is missing, or if a lock was forced or damaged. Queensland Police says to have the locks replaced or keyless security reprogrammed immediately when keys are stolen, because offenders may return. If nothing's missing and no lock was touched, check that every outside lock still works.

Were keys, a spare or a garage remote taken?

Check carefully, because keys are easy to miss in the mess. A Queensland Police post from Brisbane West in August 2022 said thieves regularly target house keys, garage remotes and car keys when they enter homes. Look in the key bowl, the kitchen drawer and handbags. Check the cars too. Moreton police say offenders sometimes get into homes using house keys or garage remotes taken from vehicles parked outside.

If car keys are gone, the car needs attention as well as the house. That's a separate job, and replacement car keys are something to raise with whoever you call.

Rekey or replace?

A locksmith can do either, and which one fits depends on the state of each lock. Our guide to rekeying after you move in explains how a rekey works, and the service page covers getting locks rekeyed or replaced. For a feel for the bill, see what a locksmith costs in Brisbane.

I rent in Queensland. Can I change the locks, and who pays?

Tell your property manager or owner first. The RTA lists damage that makes a rental unsafe or insecure as an emergency repair. If you can't reach the emergency contact on your tenancy agreement within a reasonable time, you can arrange repairs up to four weeks' rent and claim the money back in writing.

The RTA says to make every effort to reach the emergency contact on your tenancy agreement as soon as you know about the problem. A phone call counts, and a follow-up text or email is good practice. If you end up paying for the repair yourself, ask for the money back in writing, hand over all the receipts and allow at least 7 days. Not repaid after that? You can make an urgent application to QCAT. These emergency repair rules don't apply to rooming accommodation.

On the locks themselves, the RTA says they can only be changed if you and the property manager or owner agree, in an emergency, or by QCAT order. One exception: a tenant experiencing domestic and family violence who wants to stay has the right to change the locks without asking permission. The RTA's locks and security page, listed in the sources, covers this.

For landlords and property managers

The RTA says the owner must supply and maintain the locks needed to keep a property reasonably secure. Under minimum housing standards, that means functioning locks or latches on all external doors and windows that can be reached without a ladder. ABC Locksmiths works with property managers and businesses on commercial lock replacements.

Do burglars come back?

They can, if they left with a way back in. A Brisbane West police sergeant said in August 2022 that thieves will come back if they have the keys to a car or a house, or a garage remote they stole earlier. Changing the locks and codes takes that way in off the table.

That same police post gives the fix in one line: if your keys are stolen, secure the premises as soon as possible and change locks and codes.

If no keys or remotes were taken, fix what the burglary showed up. Queensland Police's home security advice says all external doors, including the internal garage door, should be solid and fitted with quality locks, and windows should have secure locks. Moreton police add one habit: take your door key with you and avoid hiding it outside.

Want a second pair of eyes? Queensland Police says your District Crime Prevention Coordinator may be able to help with an in-home security assessment by a trained police member.

What if my business was broken into?

The first steps are the same: 000 if anyone's still around, otherwise Policelink on 131 444. Then work out who holds keys to the doors that were forced. Queensland Police suggests every business keep an up-to-date staff key holder register. Have forced locks, and locks with missing keys, changed before you reopen.

If you have cameras, tell Policelink you have footage. Then go through the key register, or write one if it doesn't exist yet. Note any key you can't account for.

When the locks are being sorted, Queensland Police's business security page suggests solid external doors with quality locks such as deadbolts or deadlocks. ABC Locksmiths does commercial lock upgrades and replacements for businesses around north Brisbane.

Who can rekey or replace my locks after a break-in?

A locksmith can. ABC Locksmiths replaces and rekeys house locks and cuts house keys from a walk-in shop in Brendale, north Brisbane, and also runs a mobile service. Renters should go through their property manager or emergency repair contact first, because the owner supplies and maintains the locks.

Before you call, have a few things ready. Which doors and windows were forced. Which keys or remotes are missing. Whether you own or rent. A couple of photos of the damaged lock help too. With those, a locksmith can tell you what break-in repairs your locks need, and you can have new house keys cut for everyone who should hold one.

If you rent, or it's late

Renters should use the emergency repair contact on the tenancy agreement. Owners can lock or latch everything they can, then call us. Our hours: Open Mon to Thu 8am to 4:45pm, Fri to 4:30pm.

Want the rest of your locks checked once the urgent part is done? For $199 we will come to your property, inspect and report on the state of functioning of the current lock installation. That's our home security inspection.

Next step: call ABC Locksmiths on 07 3205 4925. The shop is at Unit 19, 193-203 South Pine Road, Brendale QLD 4500.