100m spare keys in UK - Home insurance

Posted : 04-08-2008

New research has shown there are more than 100 million spare sets of house keys circulating in the UK, which may suggest a risk of claims on household insurance.

The study, from Sainsbury's, claims over one million UK homeowners have forgotten to collect spare sets of keys or cannot remember if they have retrieved them or not.

In addition, the research found 500,000 households are unsure over how many spare sets of keys they actually have, with some believing they could have provided copies to exes, cleaners or builders.

Neil Laird, from the firm, commented: "Although it's sensible and often necessary to leave a spare set of keys with a trusted person to gain access to your property, it's concerning to see just how many homeowners have completely lost track of who could have access to their home."

According to the study, 26.9 per cent of spare keys are given to the household's children, while 10.6 per cent are with next-door neighbours and 8.8 per cent with friends.

Other people who may have copies of a home's keys include lodgers, window cleaners and estate agents.

Last week, Avon and Somerset police warned people over the dangers of 'walk-in burglaries', suggesting homeowners use their keys to keep their property secure.

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