TL;DR
A unique, revocable entry code is the safest way to give a cleaner access, because it can be created for one provider and deleted the day service ends. A handed-over physical key is the weakest, since revoking it means rekeying the lock. Whatever you use, agree in writing on how it is stored.
Access Is the Part People Decide Last and Regret First
Most households arrange the schedule, the scope, and the price carefully, then handle access in a text message an hour before the first visit. That is backwards. Access outlives the appointment, and sometimes it outlives the relationship.
The question worth answering up front is not "how do they get in this time." It is "how do I take this back cleanly when I want to." Every access method should be judged on that.
Source: consumer protection agency guidance on in-home services
Which Access Method Is Safest?
A unique code on a smart or keypad lock is generally the safest, because you can issue one code per provider, see when it is used on many locks, and delete it instantly. A lockbox is a reasonable second choice. A permanently handed-over key is the weakest option, since revoking it requires changing the hardware.
Here is how the common options compare in practice.
| Method | Revoking it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unique keypad or smart lock code | Delete the code | Best audit trail; some locks log entry times |
| Lockbox with a key inside | Change the box code, retrieve the key | Good middle option; place it out of street view |
| Key held by the company | Return or rekey the lock | Depends entirely on the company's key policy |
| Key hidden outside | Move it, and hope | Not recommended; anyone can find it |
| Being home each visit | Nothing to revoke | Safest, least convenient |
Hiding a key under a mat or a rock is the one option worth ruling out entirely. It grants access to whoever looks, not to whoever you chose.
What Should a Company Do With a Key It Holds?
Ask before handing anything over. Reasonable key-handling practices in the industry include storing keys in a locked cabinet at an office rather than in a vehicle, tagging keys with a code rather than an address, logging who checks a key out for a given day, and returning or destroying the key when service ends.
The address-on-the-tag question is the one people never think to ask. A key labeled with a street address is a serious exposure if the ring is ever lost. A key labeled with an account number is not.
Practices vary widely between providers, so ask rather than assume, and get the answer in writing. It belongs on the same list as insurance and scope in questions to ask before booking a house cleaner.
Setting Up a Code the Right Way
If you have a keypad lock, a few habits make it much stronger.
Create a dedicated code for the service rather than sharing your household code. Avoid codes that are guessable from the outside, such as the house number or a birth year. If the lock supports scheduling, restrict the code to the days and hours of the visit. If it logs entries, check the log occasionally, not obsessively.
Change the code when the crew changes if the provider tells you it has, and delete it entirely when service ends. Deleting takes ten seconds and is the step people skip for years.
One caution: do not send the code by a channel you cannot control or delete. A code sitting in a group text or an old email thread is a code that has spread further than you intended.
What Happens When Nobody Can Get In
Lockouts are the most common access failure, and they cost both sides. A crew that cannot enter has lost a scheduled slot, drive time, and often the day's routing.
That is why lockout fees are common across the industry. Terms vary by provider, and the fee is normally disclosed in the service agreement rather than improvised, so read it before you book. The broader policy landscape is covered in cancellation and lockout policies.
Prevent the situation with three habits: confirm the appointment the day before, make sure any deadbolt or secondary lock is not engaged, and tell the provider about anything unusual, such as a gate, a dog, a construction crew, or a lock that sticks in cold weather.
Revoking Access Cleanly
When service ends, close the loop the same week. Delete the code, retrieve the key, change the lockbox combination, and confirm in writing that the provider no longer holds access.
Do the same after any change in circumstance: a move, a break-in, a lost key ring, a change in who lives in the home, or the end of a relationship. Access is not permanent by nature, and treating it as reversible from the start makes the ending simple rather than awkward.
If a physical key cannot be recovered, rekeying a lock is generally a modest expense compared with the alternative, commonly in the range of $50 to $200 per lock depending on the hardware and the market. It is cheap certainty.
Source: home service industry trade association guidance
Access and the Rest of the Visit
Access decisions interact with everything else about the appointment. If you plan to be present, a key never changes hands and the question mostly disappears, which is one argument in should you be home during a house cleaning. If you plan to be out, the access method becomes the single most important detail in the booking.
Either way, pair it with the household habits that reduce risk regardless of who holds a code, including securing cash, medication, and small valuables. Those are in what to secure before a cleaning visit, and the full arrival routine is in a simple safety checklist for letting a cleaner in.
FAQ
Is it safe to give a house cleaner a key?
It is common practice and usually uneventful, but a key is the hardest access method to revoke. If you have the option, a unique keypad code is safer because you can delete it in seconds rather than rekeying the lock.
What should I ask about how a company stores keys?
Ask where keys are kept, whether they are labeled with an address or a code, who has access to them, whether checkout is logged, and what happens to the key when service ends. Practices vary widely, so get the answer in writing.
Should I give cleaners my alarm code?
Only if the system supports a separate user code you can delete later. Sharing your primary code spreads it further than you intend. Many alarm panels allow guest or service codes with limited schedules, which is the better tool.
What is a lockout fee?
It is a charge some services apply when a crew arrives and cannot get in, covering the lost slot and drive time. Terms vary by provider and should be disclosed in the agreement. Confirming the appointment the day before prevents most lockouts.
How do I take back access when I stop service?
Delete the code, retrieve any key, change the lockbox combination, and confirm in writing that the provider no longer holds access. Doing it the same week service ends keeps it simple and avoids an awkward conversation later.
Is a hidden key outside a reasonable option?
No. A hidden key grants entry to anyone who finds it, and common hiding places are well known. A lockbox costs little, is far more secure, and gives you a combination you can change whenever you want.
For the whole-home version of this work, see house cleaning services.
Otesse is a local service with upfront pricing, no hidden fees, background-checked crews, and online booking. Every home is different, so the real number depends on size, condition, and what you want covered. Get a quote and we will walk you through it.