Where to Hide a Spare Key (And the 7 Places Burglars Always Check)

Hiding a spare key has been a thing since locks were invented. The problem: burglars have also known about it since locks were invented, and the obvious spots haven't changed much in 100 years.

Here's what to avoid, what to do instead, and the modern alternatives that beat hiding entirely.

The 7 places a burglar always checks first

If you hide your key in any of these spots, assume someone has already found it:

1. Under the doormat — the original "hidden" spot. Anyone who's ever needed to break in has checked here.
2. Under a flower pot near the door — second most common.
3. Above the door frame — third most common. Felt easily by anyone with hands.
4. Under a fake rock in the garden — the rocks all look obvious. They're sold for this purpose and burglars know what they look like.
5. Inside a magnetic key holder on a downspout / metal siding — checked routinely.
6. In the mailbox — federally illegal to mess with someone else's mailbox, but burglars do it.
7. Under the welcome mat at the back door — even more common than the front door because people think it's "hidden."

Anyone who's serious about breaking in checks all 7 of these in under 60 seconds.

Slightly-better hiding spots (still not great)

If you absolutely must hide a physical key, these are harder to find but not impossible:

• Inside a working bird feeder or bird house — gotta be high enough that it requires a ladder.
• Inside a buried PVC pipe in the yard, with a known landmark.
• At a trusted neighbor's house — not technically hidden but counts.
• Inside a piece of yard equipment (lawnmower toolbox, etc.) — only if it's locked in a shed.

The common thread: requires effort, time, or specific knowledge to find. The under-the-mat spot fails all three.

Why hiding is becoming obsolete

For about $25 per cylinder, you can rekey your locks to a new key. That means:

• Old key from a contractor 5 years ago? Doesn't work anymore.
• The key you gave the ex 8 months ago? Doesn't work.
• The neighbor with a "just in case" key from 2 years ago? Doesn't work.

This is way better than playing hide-and-seek with strangers.

For the price of one nice dinner out, you can have all your locks freshly rekeyed and stop worrying about who might still have a copy.

Modern alternatives (better than hiding)

1. Smart lock with a temporary code

A Schlage Encode or Yale Assure lets you create one-time codes:

• Give your dog walker a code that expires at 11am
• Give your cleaner a code that only works Tuesdays
• Give an Airbnb guest a code that works only during their stay

No physical key to hide, copy, or steal. ~$280 hardware + $95 install.

2. A keypad-only deadbolt

If smart features feel like too much, a simple keypad deadbolt (Schlage Camelot Touch, Kwikset SmartCode) gives you a 4–6 digit code with no app needed. ~$120–$180.

3. A real key safe (lockbox)

Master Lock 5400D or similar — a small combination lockbox you mount near the door. Holds a real key, only opens with the combo. Used by realtors for years.

• Pros: physical key inside (always works, no batteries)
• Cons: still findable, combos can be watched

4. A neighbor with a key

Old-school but works perfectly. Pick a neighbor you trust, hand them a key, return the favor. No "hidden" anything.

If you absolutely must hide a key

Three rules:

1. Far from the door it opens. If the back door key is hidden right at the back door, you've helped the burglar pinpoint it.
2. Not in an "obvious key hiding spot" object. Fake rocks, magnetic keyholders, etc. are sold openly and burglars know all of them.
3. Tell only one person. The more people who know, the more chances of compromise.

A spare key inside a labeled container on your front porch is worse than no spare key at all.

What we recommend

For most homes:

1. Rekey all locks if it's been a while since the last time, or you've never done it. ~$100 for 4 doors.
2. Smart lock on the front door (Schlage Encode or similar). Use codes instead of physical keys for cleaners, dog walkers, etc.
3. Real key with a trusted neighbor as emergency backup.

Together that costs $400–$500 once and eliminates almost every "hidden key" problem permanently.

Call us

If you want to rekey, install a smart lock, or both: (336) 790-2233. Quote on the phone, on-site in 30 minutes across the Charlotte / Lake Norman area.

See smart lock installation or lock rekeying.