Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm Blog

How Many Copies of My House Key Is Too Many?

It’s always smart to have a backup key—but how many spare copies are too many? If you’re like most Phoenix homeowners, you’ve probably handed out keys over the years to family, friends, neighbors, or even contractors. But without tracking those copies, you could be putting your home at risk without even realizing it.

At Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm, we help homeowners manage their key control and rekey when too many copies are floating around. Here’s how to tell if you’ve got too many, and what to do about it.

Check out how we help Phoenix residents regain control of their home’s security

The Ideal Number of House Key Copies

Most homeowners should keep between 3 and 5 key copies:

  • One for yourself
  • One for your spouse or roommate
  • One for emergency backup (kept in a safe place)
  • Optional: one for a trusted neighbor or nearby relative

That’s usually enough for day-to-day use and emergencies without increasing risk.

When You May Be At Risk

Here’s when you may have too many keys in circulation:

You’ve moved recently
You can’t remember who has a copy
You’ve used dog walkers, cleaners, or Airbnb guests
You’ve changed roommates or tenants
You gave out keys to family or friends years ago

If you’ve handed out keys over time and never rekeyed your locks, anyone who’s had a copy could still walk right in.

The Risks of Too Many Key Copies

Loss of access control
The more keys out there, the more ways someone can access your home without your permission.

Unknown duplicates
Anyone with a copy of your key can easily make more at a hardware store or kiosk. You wouldn’t even know it happened.

Delayed response in emergencies
If something goes wrong at your home, knowing exactly who has access helps emergency services, your neighbors, or your security company respond appropriately.

Increased risk during a break-in
If you’ve had a break-in and too many keys are out, the locks should be replaced or rekeyed immediately.

What to Do If You’re Not Sure Who Has a Key

If you’ve lost track of who has a copy—or suspect someone may still have access—you should:

  • Rekey your locks to start fresh with new keys
  • Switch to a smart lock so you can create, track, and delete access codes
  • Use restricted keyways that only a locksmith can duplicate

We can help you create a clean access plan that balances convenience with safety.

Home Key Management Across Phoenix

We help homeowners take back control of their key access in:

Arcadia
Ahwatukee
Biltmore
Maryvale
Camelback East
Downtown Phoenix
South and North Phoenix
And nearby communities

Less Is More When It Comes to Keys

The fewer keys floating around, the more control you have over your home’s security. If it’s been a while since you rekeyed—or you’re unsure how many keys are out there—we’ll help you reset everything with confidence.

Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm – Phoenix
Call Today: (602) 854-2766
https://www.affordablesecurityphoenix.com

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Anthem | Apache Junction | Buckeye | Casa Grande | Carefree | Cave Creek | Chandler | Coolidge | El Mirage | Florence | Fountain Hills | Gilbert | Glendale | Gold Canyon | Goodyear | Laveen | Litchfield Park | Mesa | Paradise Valley | Peoria | Phoenix | Queen Creek | San Tan Valley | Scottsdale | Sun City | Surprise | Tempe | Tolleson