Spare Keys: How to Keep Your Backup From Becoming a Weak Point

A spare key can save the day when you lock yourself out. The problem starts when you no longer know who has a copy, or where it has ended up. Whether it’s for a lockout, a neighbour feeding the cat or a cleaner arriving while you’re at work, a spare key is convenient. But an untracked or carelessly stored copy can become a security concern. This guide covers choosing trusted keyholders, avoiding predictable storage, tracking copies and knowing when to review your locks.

Decide Who Actually Needs a Spare

Resist cutting a copy for every occasional visitor. Start by identifying who genuinely needs access, such as household members, a trusted relative nearby or a reliable neighbour. Then separate permanent access from temporary arrangements for a cleaner, pet sitter or tradesperson.

Agree in advance on when the key may be used and whether it can be passed to anyone else. If you lend a key for a weekend of pet-sitting, set a clear return date before handing it over. Trust matters, but clear arrangements prevent misunderstandings.

Avoid Predictable Hiding Places and Identifying Labels

Doormats, plant pots and objects beside the entrance are the first places anyone would look. A concealed key isn’t necessarily a secure key, because familiar hiding spots are familiar to everyone. Police guidance warns against leaving spare keys in predictable outdoor locations.

A safer alternative is to leave a spare with a trusted person nearby. Avoid labels showing your address, apartment number or other details that identify the door. Use a neutral marker instead, and record privately what it means. If you consider a key safe, remember that not every lockbox offers the same protection, and none replaces a proper assessment of your setup.

Keep a Simple Record of Every Copy

You don’t need complicated software. A private list is enough. For each key, note:

• Which door it operates
• Who holds it
• The date it was issued
• Whether the access is temporary
• The date it was returned

Include building fobs, garage remotes and, for apartment residents, mailbox keys. Review the list after a move, a change in your household or a completed contractor visit.

Remember that getting the original key back doesn’t prove no duplicate was made. “The key was returned” and “access is fully accounted for” are two different things.

Follow the Correct Duplication Process

Not all keys are copied the same way. Standard keys can often be duplicated easily, while restricted or building-managed systems have their own arrangements. For these, go to the authorised provider and follow the relevant approval process.

Tenants and apartment residents should check with their landlord, property manager or strata manager before ordering additional managed keys. Simply holding a key doesn’t necessarily give you the authority to order another, as approval requirements depend on the key system and the property. A “Do Not Duplicate” stamp alone shouldn’t be treated as a guarantee against copying.

Review Access When a Key Goes Missing or Is Not Returned

Losing a key means more than losing access. It can mean losing control over who can enter. Ask yourself whether the missing key could be linked to your address, whether it may have been stolen and whether other copies are unaccounted for.

Cutting another key doesn’t solve the underlying concern. Rekeying does: a compatible cylinder can be changed so that previous keys no longer operate it. A qualified locksmith in Hurstville can assess the existing lock and discuss whether rekeying or replacement is appropriate. If you live in an apartment, report a lost building fob to building management separately.

Make the Backup Plan Practical

A backup only works if you can use it. Confirm that your trusted keyholder is reasonably reachable, and keep their contact details somewhere other than a phone that could be locked inside. Test your spare keys so you don’t discover a faulty copy mid-lockout.

Agree on arrangements before holidays or extended absences. And whatever happens, don’t improvise emergency access by leaving a key outside.

Know Where Your Keys Are, and Who Can Use Them

Good key management comes down to a few habits: limit copies, choose trusted holders, store keys thoughtfully, document who has access and review missing keys promptly. It’s an ongoing routine rather than a one-time task. If you’d like a professional opinion on your locks, a local locksmith can help you decide what suits your home.