Home planning

Who Should Have a Spare Key to Your Home?

Published 26/09/2026 · Updated 26/09/2026 · OnwardCircle Editorial Team

Reviewed by OnwardCircle Editorial Review

Short answer

A spare-key holder should be someone you trust, who can reach your property when needed and who understands when they may use the key. Consider a backup access method and review the arrangement whenever relationships or housing circumstances change.

A key holder solves a narrow but important problem: how someone can reach your property when you cannot.

Choose deliberately

Consider trust, proximity and reliability.

Explain when access is appropriate

A key should not imply general permission to enter whenever the person wishes.

Keep a backup plan

Keys get lost and people become unavailable. Consider what the alternative would be.

Review after changes

Moving home, changing locks or ending a relationship should trigger an immediate update.

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