Where to Leave Keys for Someone? 3 Ideas for the best places to leave your keys.

Are you expecting a visitor, but won't be home to hand over the keys? Or maybe you're the one who needs access to a property, but the owner is unavailable to give you the keys in person? Managing your short-term rental properties' house keys effectively is essential for ensuring both convenience for guests and home security.

As an Airbnb host, or property manager, you’ve probably considered the best way to get the keys to your visitors. One option is to use a smart lock that allows guests to unlock the door without needing a physical key. This eliminates the risk of guests leaving their keys left on countertops or losing them. If you prefer traditional methods, consider making a copy of your house keys and using a locker or a hidden key in an inconspicuous spot, such as the back of the door. However, avoid typical hiding places that an intruder could easily find, like under a doormat or in a flower pot.

Whatever the case may be, finding a safe and convenient place to leave or pick up keys can be a challenge. But no need to worry - here are 3 easy and cheap options for you to pass the keys to someone. We have updated the ideas with some tips based on our own experience, hope it helps!

Leave the keys with a trusted neighbour or friend

One of the most common solutions to key handover problems is to ask a trusted neighbour or friend to hold onto the keys for you. This can be a convenient and reliable option, especially if the person you ask lives nearby and is available at the time you need them. However, it's important to make sure you choose someone who you trust completely, as they will have access to your property.

Tips: 

• Always set an estimated key pickup time, don’t just leave the key and let your guest come whenever. What if the neighbour goes out to grab some food and is not at home when your friend arrives for the keys? Set a 2-hour key collection window and ask both the neighbour and key collector to respect it.

• If you have good relations, create a WhatsApp Group with the neighbour, yourself and the key collector and keep an eye on the communication. You can also share a set of keys with them if you really trust them.

• Do NOT keep your keys near the door in a box, or use a door lock. This is the best way to make a burglar's life easier. 

Use KeyNest spare key storage service

If you're looking for a more convenient and secure way to leave or pick up keys, there’s always KeyNest Point key storage service (that’s us! Yes, you are on our blog). 

KeyNest has a network of over 7,000 locations across the UK Europe and North America, where you can drop off or collect keys any time of day or night. We partner with off-licence stores, cafes and petrol stations, and make sure everyone has access to a KeyNest Point near their home. Most of the points are open 24/7.

All KeyNest locations are monitored and secure, and your keys are stored in tamper-proof containers. Plus, you can track your keys at all times using KeyNest's online platform.

It costs only £5.95 + VAT per key collection (it gets cheaper if you use it multiple times a month).

How does KeyNest Spare Key Storage work? (it’s simple, but we went into the details so you get a full overview)

1. You pick a convenient KeyNest Point near your property using the map here

2. Log in, set up your key and pay for the service. 

3. Head to the chosen KeyNest Point whenever convenient for you. Pass the key to the shopkeeper, who will add a tag to it, and store it securely in a key box.

4. Send information about the key collection to your friend or family member - we will generate it for you automatically, together with key collection instructions. The 6-digit key collection code is crucial!

5. Your friend goes to the KeyNest Point and shares the 6-digit code with the shopkeeper. If the code is verified, the key is passed to your friend. You will get a notification saying the key was collected.

6. Once done, your friend can just bring the key back to the KeyNest Point - you will get notified that the key is back in its original location.

And that’s it! You can use the service anytime and we have both a Pay-As-You-Go and Monthly Subscription, depending on how many times you need the key to be picked up. It beats other solutions in terms of safety and convenience - and price too!

Tips:

• We have a 24/7 chat (just visit our website, and chat will show on the bottom right corner) or phone line (where you interact with humans only, we don’t use bots): 0203 633 4599

• Don’t add any address tag on your keys! The address will be sent to your friend in a message, don’t risk it by adding an address tag on the key set. Actually, NEVER add an address to your key set.

Use a delivery service

Another option - if you have some time in advance - is to post a spare key to your friend using a courier or speciality service. Going to Google and looking for “1-day delivery + name of the city” will show you plenty of options. Example for London below:

It may end up being much more expensive than other options, plus there’s always a chance key won’t get to the recipient on time. But, it’s still quite reliable and better than for example lockbox, (which can be broken into in 30 sec by a random person finding it on the street - there are even instruction videos on Youtube!).

Tips:

• Don’t leave posting the key till the last minute, give yourself a day for a buffer, in case there’s a delivery delay

• Check if the parcel gets insured - in case the key gets lost, you may risk changing your locks and that’s up to £500 out of your pocket

In conclusion, there are several options available for where to leave keys for someone, depending on your needs and preferences. Whether you choose to use a trusted friend or a KeyNest spare key storage service, make sure you choose a secure and reliable solution.

With these ideas in mind, you'll be able to exchange keys safely and conveniently, no matter what the situation. It’s important to consider the level of access and security you require. For instance, if you're leaving keys for a neighbor to water your plants while you're away, a simple arrangement may suffice. However, if you're providing access to a service provider, such as a cleaner or a maintenance person, you might want to opt for a more secure method, like a lockbox with a combination code.

Always communicate clearly with the person receiving the keys. Ensure they understand the importance of keeping them secure and discuss any specific instructions they may need to follow. It’s also wise to inform them of any potential changes in access or security measures that may arise in the future.

Lastly, regularly reassess your key-sharing arrangements. If you find that a particular method isn’t working as well as you’d hoped, don’t hesitate to explore other options. With a little planning and consideration, you can ensure that your key exchange is not only effective but also enhances your peace of mind.