What Is a Keyholding Company?
A keyholding company is a professional security provider that holds secure copies of your property’s keys off-site, ready to respond quickly and effectively when access is needed. This includes everything from alarm activations and emergency call-outs to routine access for contractors, inspectors, or deliveries, all without relying on internal staff or untrained personnel.
Keyholding services are especially vital for properties that are vacant, high-risk, operational outside of normal business hours or require vacant property inspections. With 24/7 coverage, a keyholding company ensures that access to your premises is always controlled, compliant, and secure, even when you’re not on-site.
Unlike traditional methods where spare keys might be left with employees, managers, or even neighbours, a professional keyholding service puts your property in the hands of trained, vetted security officers. These officers are licensed to respond, document their visits, and handle any incidents appropriately, reducing the risk of theft, damage, and legal liability.
In short, a keyholding company doesn’t just hold your keys, it holds your peace of mind, your compliance standards, and your ability to respond swiftly in critical moments.
Why Businesses Use Keyholding Services
Keyholding services are not just a convenience, they’re a cornerstone of modern commercial property protection.
Businesses can’t afford to leave access and alarm response to chance. Whether managing a single site or an entire portfolio, organisations need a trusted, professional solution to ensure properties remain secure, even when no one’s around.
From attending alarm activations to allowing contractor access outside business hours, keyholding services reduce liability, improve response times, and provide clear, auditable logs for insurance compliance. They also free up internal teams from out-of-hours callouts, helping you protect your people as well as your property.
As threats grow more complex, including theft, vandalism, and unauthorised entry, using a professional keyholding company becomes not just a best practice, but a business-critical decision.
| Reason for Using Keyholding | Benefit to the Business |
|---|---|
| Alarm activations | Trained officers attend and manage the situation professionally |
| Contractor or delivery access | Safe, scheduled entry without needing staff on-site |
| Staff lockouts or lost keys | Secure entry without compromising security protocols |
| Vacant property inspections (VPIs) | Seamless access for inspections, repairs, or maintenance |
| Insurance compliance | Proves access is managed and logged by professionals |
| Risk reduction | Minimises liability and removes pressure from internal teams |
Comparing In-House vs. Professional Keyholding
When deciding how to manage secure access to your premises, many businesses weigh the pros and cons of handling it internally versus hiring a professional keyholding company. While assigning keyholding duties to staff may seem cost-effective at first, it often introduces hidden risks, including delayed response times, legal liability, and compromised safety.
This comparison highlights the key differences between in-house keyholding and professional keyholding services, helping you make an informed decision that protects your people, property, and compliance standing.
| Aspect | In-House Staff | Professional Keyholding Company |
|---|---|---|
| 24/7 availability | Not guaranteed | Guaranteed, scheduled or reactive |
| Response time | Delayed due to travel or availability | Immediate dispatch |
| Legal liability | Sits with business | Shifted to licensed provider |
| Staff safety | Potential risk in emergency callouts | Trained security professionals respond |
| Record keeping | Often informal or incomplete | Fully documented and time-stamped logs |
| Cost effectiveness | Higher risk and inefficiency | Fixed fee, scalable with portfolio |
What to Look for in a Keyholding Company
Choosing the right keyholding company can save time, money, and serious stress in emergencies.
Key factors to consider:
SIA-licensed personnel: All responding officers should be vetted and licensed by the Security Industry Authority.
24/7 coverage: True keyholding means immediate access whenever it’s needed.
Insurance compliance: Make sure reports and logs meet your policy’s evidence requirements.
Response time guarantees: Look for SLAs (Service Level Agreements) around response times.
Secure key storage: Keys should be stored off-site in BS7984-compliant key safes.
Clear pricing: Avoid hidden fees or excessive call-out charges.
Your New Keyholding Company
Stay compliant, avoid costly surprises, and protect your property from just £1 per day per key.
Get started with a free consultation today.
Keyholding Service Prices: What to Expect
The cost of working with a professional keyholding company can vary depending on your property type, location, risk profile, and service requirements, but one thing is clear: it’s far more cost-effective than the consequences of poor access control.
From basic key storage and emergency response to fully integrated services including alarm attendance and routine site patrols, keyholding services are typically structured as monthly retainers. This gives you predictable costs and scalable protection, whether you manage a single building or an entire property portfolio.
In the UK, key holding service prices usually start from around £30 per month for basic coverage, with more comprehensive packages including alarm response and patrols ranging from £50 to £150+ per month.
The table below outlines typical pricing tiers and what’s included, helping you make an informed, budget-conscious decision.
| Service Type | Average Monthly Price (UK) | Leisure Guard Price | Included Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic keyholding | £30–£50/month | £30/month + VAT | Key storage |
| Keyholding + alarm response | £60–£90/month | From £60/month + VAT | As above, plus alarm response and scheduled access management |
| Keyholding with patrols | £95–£150+/month | Custom quote | Includes mobile patrols and multiple weekly site visits |
Who Needs Keyholding Services?
Keyholding is essential for a wide range of organisations, particularly those responsible for multiple properties, high-value assets, or sites that may be vacant outside business hours.
Common clients include:
Facilities Management companies
Commercial landlords
Construction sites
Housing associations
Estate agents
Local authorities
Retail chains
Business parks and offices
Real-World Risks Without a Keyholding Company
Without professional keyholding in place, businesses often expose themselves to risks they haven’t considered:
Staff attending break-ins or alarms late at night
Lost or duplicated keys creating security gaps
Delayed emergency access leading to increased damage
Failed insurance claims due to lack of documentation
Contractor delays due to lack of on-site access
Professional keyholding doesn’t just improve safety — it can also reduce downtime, protect your workforce, and preserve your reputation.
Secure Your Empty Property
Stay compliant, avoid costly surprises, and protect your property from just £30/month.
Get started with a free consultation today.
FAQs About Keyholding Campanies
What is a keyholding company responsible for?
Storing keys securely off-site and deploying licensed officers to attend properties when needed — including for alarm activations, access requests, and emergencies.
How much does keyholding cost in the UK?
Prices start from £30/month for basic services, with advanced packages including patrols ranging from £95 upwards.
Is keyholding a legal requirement?
Not legally, but it is often a condition of insurance policies and strongly advised in duty of care standards.
Can keyholding include alarm response?
Yes. Most professional keyholding companies offer alarm response as a core service.
What makes a good keyholding provider?
24/7 availability, SIA licensing, secure storage, transparent pricing, and full compliance documentation.
Is keyholding only useful for commercial properties?
No, while keyholding services are widely used in commercial settings, they’re also valuable for residential landlords, holiday homes, vacant properties, and sites under renovation. Any location that may be empty, vulnerable, or require scheduled access can benefit from a professional keyholding company.
What happens if there’s an alarm activation in the middle of the night?
Your keyholding company is immediately notified and dispatches a trained, SIA-licensed officer to attend. They investigate the cause, reset alarms, liaise with emergency services if needed, and send you a full report, so you don’t have to attend in person.
Are keyholding services insurance-approved?
Most insurers recommend or require a professional keyholding service, especially for commercial or vacant premises. Having documented keyholding and alarm response in place shows you’ve taken proactive steps to mitigate risk.
Can I cancel or change my keyholding package?
Yes. Reputable keyholding companies offer flexible plans and scalable services. You can typically upgrade, downgrade, or cancel with notice, especially if your property use changes.
How are my keys stored securely?
Keys are stored off-site in secure, access-controlled facilities that meet the highest standards. Each set is coded and tracked, with restricted access limited to vetted personnel only. Our secure key storage facility is protected by CCTV, Alarms, Digital Key Pad Combination Locks, Roller Shutter Security Doors and 2 Fire Proof Access Doors and a Key Safe.
Do I need to have an alarm system to use keyholding services?
Not necessarily. While many clients pair keyholding with alarm response, others use it solely for out-of-hours contractor access, vacant property inspections, or key safekeeping in case of staff lockouts.
How quickly can Leisure Guard respond in an emergency?
Our keyholding officers are on-call 24/7 and operate across Greater Manchester and surrounding areas. We aim to meet insurance response times and always provide full attendance reports.
Why Choose Leisure Guard Security?
At Leisure Guard Security, we deliver professional, insurance-compliant Key Holding Services that give you complete peace of mind, day or night.
Starting from just £1 per Day per key + VAT, our service ensures your property is accessible, secure, and fully supported 24/7, without placing your staff at risk.
Here’s what’s included:
✅ Secure off-site key storage in BS7984-compliant facilities
🚨 Rapid alarm response and out-of-hours callouts
📝 Detailed attendance reports for insurance and compliance
👮♂️ SIA-licensed officers operating across Greater Manchester and surrounding areas
Let us carry the responsibility, so you can focus on your business, not your keys.
Keyholding Isn’t Just a Service — It’s a Safety Net
Holding keys means holding responsibility — and we take that seriously.
Whether your property is occupied, vacant, or in transition, our Key Holding Services ensure trusted, professional access whenever it’s needed — no delays, no risks, no stress.
To secure your property properly, you need more than a set of spare keys and a staff rota. You need trained responders, secure key storage, and fast, documented attendance, all backed by a team that never sleeps.
Whether you need short-term coverage during a void period or a long-term solution across multiple sites, we’ve got you covered.
Call us on 0800 035 6607
Email info@leisureguardsecurity.co.uk
Or request a free VPI consultation in the form here