How to Use KeyNest for Personal Key Exchange

 

When we think about key exchanges, we often associate them with Airbnb or property management. However, there are plenty of everyday situations where securely sharing your keys becomes essential. Whether it’s letting a friend in while you’re away, managing access for cleaners or handymen, or ensuring you never get locked out, KeyNest is the perfect solution for seamless, secure key handovers.

The Problem: Traditional Key Exchange Methods Are Inconvenient or Risky

Imagine this scenario: You’re going on a weekend trip, and your close friend needs to access your apartment while you’re away. What are your options?

Hiding the Key Under the Doormat or in a Plant Pot

This is the oldest trick in the book, but also the riskiest. Anyone could find it, making your home vulnerable to break-ins. Opportunistic burglars are well aware of these common hiding spots, and once they have access, they can enter your home unnoticed.

Leaving the Key with a Neighbor

While this might seem convenient, it depends entirely on your neighbor being available at the right time. What if they’re not home when your friend arrives? Or worse, what if they misplace the key? It’s an unreliable and inconsistent solution.

Mailing the Key or Using a Courier

This is expensive, slow, and unreliable. There’s always a risk of the key getting lost in transit or being delayed, causing unnecessary stress and inconvenience for both you and the recipient.

Giving Someone a Copy of Your Key

If it’s a one-time visit, handing out a duplicate key isn’t practical. You have no control over how many copies are made, and if you ever need to revoke access, retrieving the key can be challenging. In the long run, this can become a security risk, as you won’t know who else has access to your home.

None of these solutions offer a combination of security, convenience, and real-time tracking. That’s where KeyNest comes in.

Everyday Situations Where KeyNest Can Help

Hosting Friends or Family While You’re Away

You’ve planned a trip, but a close friend or family member needs access to your home. Instead of hiding your key under a mat, drop it off at your nearest KeyNest Point. Send them the access code, and you’ll receive a notification when they pick it up. No need to coordinate schedules or worry about security—your keys are stored safely until needed. Whether it’s an unexpected guest or a planned visit, KeyNest makes access effortless.

Letting Cleaners or Handymen In Without Being Home

Over 3,000 domestic cleaners collect keys from a nearby KeyNest store every day. Whether it’s a regular cleaner or a one-time handyman visit, you can generate a reusable or one-time access code. They pick up the key in just 10 seconds, and you’ll know exactly when it’s collected and returned. This means no need to leave work early or give out spare keys—just set up the exchange and get on with your day.

Keeping a Backup Key for Emergencies

Life happens—maybe you lock yourself out, or you need to let a friend in unexpectedly. With KeyNest, you can store your keys for as little as one minute or as long as ten years, ensuring you always have a backup plan. Instead of relying on costly locksmith services or hidden spare keys that compromise security, KeyNest provides a safe, reliable alternative that’s accessible when you need it most.

Lending Your Car

Need to lend your car to a friend or family member? Instead of coordinating complicated handovers, simply leave your car key at a nearby KeyNest Point. Your friend can pick it up at their convenience, and KeyNest is even recommended by car-sharing platforms like Turo. Whether it’s a road trip, business travel, or an emergency situation, KeyNest ensures smooth and secure car key exchanges without the stress.

Making Pet Sitter Access Simple

Going away and need someone to look after your pet? Instead of arranging an in-person key handover, just leave your key in a secure KeyNest location. Your pet sitter can pick it up with an access code, even if your plans change at the last minute. Whether you’re dealing with an emergency or a long-planned vacation, you can rest easy knowing your pet sitter has easy, secure access

Why KeyNest is the Best Solution

Unlike outdated or insecure key exchange methods, KeyNest offers:

  1. Security: Unlike leaving keys in unsafe spots or with unreliable third parties, KeyNest stores your keys in local businesses equipped with secure storage solutions. This ensures they remain protected and accessible only to authorized individuals.

  2. Convenience: With thousands of KeyNest Points worldwide, dropping off and picking up keys is easy and hassle-free. Locations operate during business hours, meaning you can access your keys when you need them, without unnecessary delays.

  3. Control & Tracking: Unlike traditional key exchanges where you have no way of knowing whether your key has been collected or returned, KeyNest sends instant notifications whenever a key is accessed. This gives you complete peace of mind, knowing exactly when and by whom your key is picked up.

  4. Affordable Pricing: KeyNest offers cost-effective solutions starting at just £5.95 per month per use, making it a far more affordable option than expensive courier services or emergency locksmith fees. Whether you need a short-term key exchange or long-term storage, there’s a pricing plan to suit your needs

  5. Flexibility: Whether you need to store a key for a day, a week, or even years, KeyNest provides flexible storage solutions. You can even set up reusable codes for recurring visitors like cleaners or handymen, making key access seamless for ongoing needs.

Whether you're managing home access for guests, service providers, or even yourself, KeyNest takes the hassle out of key exchanges. Try it today and experience the ultimate convenience and security for personal key sharing!

About us

KeyNest offers you a convenient service for storing and exchanging your property keys. You can drop off a key at any of the 7,000+ locations in our network, so there’s one such Point located next to your property. 


Guests, cleaners or contractors can then collect the key securely from a KeyNest Point or KeyNest Locker  which is usually open 24/7. You'll be notified each time the key is picked up or returned, and you can even customize check-in and check-out times. By leveraging technology and a global network of locations, KeyNest continues to redefine property management, offering solutions tailored to meet the evolving needs of the rental market..


KeyNest has an ever-expanding global network of locations located just minutes from your property. To find out more you can contact us.