Outdoor key safes

[Zetec-S]

Anyone use one of these or have any recommendations?

It would only be used on the odd occasion by the dog walker, and we'd have it fixed to the house in a tucked away position so you couldn't see it if you were passing (it's a quiet road anyway). I know you can get them for less than £20 from amazon but not sure how comfortable I am going so cheap, so just wondering if the more expensive ones are worth the extra cost?

[blue_haddock]

We fitted one to mums bungalow so her carers can easily access the house, it was a chubb one and was roughly the same price off the top of my head.

Its fitted out of sight and her bungalow is a low risk area anyway, so far no issues but i guess if you really wanted to get the key it wouldnt take much physical force to open the box.

[Danm1les]

We have one of these tucked down the side of the house, I think concealing the box is better, as they are all easily opened if they really want to get inside them.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Master-Lock-5401EURD-Alum...

[EastMidsEng]

Danm1les said:

We have one of these tucked down the side of the house, I think concealing the box is better, as they are all easily opened if they really want to get inside them.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Master-Lock-5401EURD-Alum...

Just to point out these locks in particular, are notoriously easy to decipher due to how quickly they wear. Not to mention phyiscally breaking them open.

Concealing a key in a hidden location would be my preference if its only to be used infrequently.

[shirt]

I first encountered one of these at an Airbnb in the dolomites. Extremely rural location and the code we were given was incorrect.

After failing to make contact with the owner for an hour (it was a nice night with clear sky and amazing stars so no drama) I took a screwdriver from the car tool box and had the key out in seconds leaving no damage to the box itself.

Ergo all they’re good for imo is a slightly better alternative to having the key under a plant pot.

[zbc]

Where do you stand with house insurance if someone gained access to your house using a key from a box like this? I'm guessing they might refuse to pay out. Would you need to declare it?

[unzippy]

I've just bought this one:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09JKFYWQ6

Will report back after it arrives.

[Zetec-S]

unzippy said:

I've just bought this one:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09JKFYWQ6

Will report back after it arrives.

Thanks, yes I'd be interested to hear what you think, that was the more expensive one I was considering.

[JoshSm]

I have a healthy scepticism of such things but have recently had to fit one for someone, can't remember the exact model but it was reasonably chunky where it mattered and would mount solidly to the wall.

Mounted it somewhere that was easy to find for anyone needing it but with no obvious line of sight and a restricted range of access so no easy getting tools at it.

And for extra fun artfully painted it a shade & speckled pattern to match the bricks so it didn't stand out!

[blue_haddock]

EastMidsEng said:

Danm1les said:

We have one of these tucked down the side of the house, I think concealing the box is better, as they are all easily opened if they really want to get inside them.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Master-Lock-5401EURD-Alum...

Just to point out these locks in particular, are notoriously easy to decipher due to how quickly they wear. Not to mention phyiscally breaking them open.

Concealing a key in a hidden location would be my preference if its only to be used infrequently.

That looks like the one we used and i fully agree that it wouldnt be hard to access if you wanted to.

[944 Man]

These are extremely easy to open. Yes, they're relied upon everywhere, and they are a useful extra layer of security to a hidden key, but I would never rely on one.

[toon10]

944 Man said:

These are extremely easy to open. Yes, they're relied upon everywhere, and they are a useful extra layer of security to a hidden key, but I would never rely on one.

I've seen a YouTube clip showing you how to open the cheaper barrel combination ones with nothing more than a piece of white card and a pen. I'd definitely do some research on which are the more secure ones.

[Baldchap]

LockPickingLawyer on YouTube has done several keysafes. I'd certainly want it installed in a relatively hidden location as I've not seen one that was difficult to open.

I got into a Yale one with the aforementioned (frighteningly easy) paper and pen method.

[Shooter McGavin]

Zetec-S said:

Anyone use one of these or have any recommendations?

It would only be used on the odd occasion by the dog walker, and we'd have it fixed to the house in a tucked away position so you couldn't see it if you were passing (it's a quiet road anyway). I know you can get them for less than £20 from amazon but not sure how comfortable I am going so cheap, so just wondering if the more expensive ones are worth the extra cost?

Isn't it easier just to give your dog walker a key? That's effectively what you are doing anyway, with the added dimension of leaving it somewhere relatively insecure for anyone else to get hold of.

[cml24]

Zetec-S said:

unzippy said:

I've just bought this one:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09JKFYWQ6

Will report back after it arrives.

Thanks, yes I'd be interested to hear what you think, that was the more expensive one I was considering.

We had a masterlock one fitted for the previous elderly resident. It was great as we consistently lock ourselves out, until it stuck closed. I tried the guides online to open it but couldn't, although brute force had it open quite quickly.

My research showed the one linked as the cheapest secure one and likely what i'll get.

[Sheepshanks]

Zetec-S said:

Anyone use one of these or have any recommendations?

It would only be used on the odd occasion by the dog walker, and we'd have it fixed to the house in a tucked away position so you couldn't see it if you were passing (it's a quiet road anyway). I know you can get them for less than £20 from amazon but not sure how comfortable I am going so cheap, so just wondering if the more expensive ones are worth the extra cost?

Used a couple of different ones at two people’s houses - one installed by the local authority but didn’t seem significantly different to the one we bought. No issues over a couple of years use and the LA one was in a somewhat dodgy area.

If the key is for one specific person’s use give them a key? Daughter does that with her dog walkers (one is a neighbour who likes to take the dog out).

[John D.]

Shooter McGavin said:

Zetec-S said:

Anyone use one of these or have any recommendations?

It would only be used on the odd occasion by the dog walker, and we'd have it fixed to the house in a tucked away position so you couldn't see it if you were passing (it's a quiet road anyway). I know you can get them for less than £20 from amazon but not sure how comfortable I am going so cheap, so just wondering if the more expensive ones are worth the extra cost?

Isn't it easier just to give your dog walker a key? That's effectively what you are doing anyway, with the added dimension of leaving it somewhere relatively insecure for anyone else to get hold of.

Much better idea.

[WrekinCrew]

Baldchap said:

LockPickingLawyer on YouTube has done several keysafes.

The combination-lock ones all seem to be of a similar design and he opens them in about two seconds with a sliver of beer-can.

[Zetec-S]

John D. said:

Shooter McGavin said:

Zetec-S said:

Anyone use one of these or have any recommendations?

It would only be used on the odd occasion by the dog walker, and we'd have it fixed to the house in a tucked away position so you couldn't see it if you were passing (it's a quiet road anyway). I know you can get them for less than £20 from amazon but not sure how comfortable I am going so cheap, so just wondering if the more expensive ones are worth the extra cost?

Isn't it easier just to give your dog walker a key? That's effectively what you are doing anyway, with the added dimension of leaving it somewhere relatively insecure for anyone else to get hold of.

Much better idea.

Probably, I guess the thinking was they would only be called upon a couple of times a month at most, if I'm away with work and Mrs ZS has to be in the office, so easier than having another spare key to keep track of, but yes to be honest it's probably better.

zbc said:

Where do you stand with house insurance if someone gained access to your house using a key from a box like this? I'm guessing they might refuse to pay out. Would you need to declare it?

Had a quick scan through ours and it's suitably vague... I'll have a proper read later but I'll get it confirmed by phone/writing if we were to go down this route.

[POIDH]

BIL has one.
It feels chunky enough until you realise the back is just thin metal. I reckon one solid hit from a hammer and I would be in. His is mounted on the door frame it operates... And his garage key is in there. Madness.

Much better to b have one hidden IMO. My old house had a garden shed with combination lock, hidden within the shed contents was an emergency key. Good luck finding it...