11 Smart Ways To Hide A Key Outside An Apartment

There are instances when you could be away from home and need a way of hiding the key—and make it easier for your family members to find it when they’re back from their errands. 

This has been a challenge to many because hiding it the wrong way could also make your house vulnerable to robbery. So how do you make sure you hide your key outside an apartment? 

This article will walk you through some of the clever ways you can hide your key outside an apartment without inviting intruders. So without wasting much time, let’s get into the nitty-gritty.

11 Smart Ways To Hide A Key Outside An Apartment

Here are a few brilliant areas outside your house where you may hide it plain in sight but still keep it close at hand in case you’re locked out. 

1. Conceal Key Behind Your Knocker

Behind the knocker has proven to be one of the most common places where people like to hide the keys because burglars may never think of people hiding their keys.

Purchase a door knocker and make sure you’ve chosen one with some good space to help you hide your key. And instead of doing the usual thing other people do (nailing it), get glue or magnets on them.

2.  Get creative With a Fake Clock That Has a Hidden Safe

The best place to hide a key in an apartment building is on a fake wall clock that’s outside your door, and this is why. 

A stranger sees it as a timepiece while you see it as a clock with a hidden safe. Also, the safes have a lock and key. Therefore you don’t have to worry someone would break in.

Fake clocks with hidden safes are very classic and functioning wall clocks with a space behind them where you can choose to hide a spare key in apartment buildings.

3. Windchimes are Excellent

Windchimes are one of the best options because they’re always hung very high. And because most robbers will never think of looking up, they will most likely never have an idea that a spare key could be up there—making windchimes an excellent hiding spot for your keys. 

However, you need to ensure that you haven’t hung your windchimes so high that it would be troublesome for your family to access them. And finally, ensure that you have hidden the key perfectly so that it won’t be blown away by the wind.

4. Temperature Control Unit

A temperature control unit outside your home or an apartment will inform you about the temperature outside. Above all, it can be a great place to hide your key outside your house.

Most people would look at the temperature control unit but won’t bother to look behind it for the room key. Unless it becomes a common way to hide a key outside an apartment, it is safe to assume that your key won’t fall into the wrong hands.

5. Do You Have a Fake Socket—Make Good Use of It

Nobody ever wants to contact electricity areas, which is why a fake socket could do the trick here. So the first thing you should ever think of when wanting to hide your spare key is whether you can find a fake socket around your house. 

If you don’t have any fake sockets, buy one from your local retailer and make it a hiding spot for your spare key. However, be sure to get the fake socket somewhere else would think it needs to be there, then place your key behind it—easy peasy.

6. How About an Electrical Plug Wall Safe?

I know what you’re thinking—an electric outlet, but don’t just let your guard down just yet because there’s more to this tactic. An electric plug wall safe is one of the most desirable places you can hide your key without drawing the attention of burglars that could be timing you to find your way into your house.

Installing an electric plug wall safe is pretty straightforward, and you could be on your way to finding the perfect hiding spot for your key in just a minute.

7. You Should Try The Old School Under a Rock Spot

This is probably the old-school way of hiding a key, and the truth is that it’s still one of the best hacks you’ll ever find. Look around your home and find a rock where you can hide your spare key. 

Ensure that nobody sees you while hiding the key because this could invite robbers into your compound. And since this is a very common way, most burglars will be thinking of this as your first hiding spot, so there’s every reason to be careful when doing this.

8. Under Your Car Floor Mat

Ultimately, the safest hiding spot in apartment buildings is in your car, under a floor mat. Hide it in your vehicle if you have a car that you park outside or in a garage as nobody would find it there.

9. With The Apartment Manager

At some point, you’ll need to trust a few people, and some of those people are the caretakers. Apartment managers are always very straightforward people and can hold your spare key while you’re away without messing up your house.

However, you might need to have a good relationship with them as you’d also not approach them if you are on bad terms with them.

10. Your Neighbor’s Place Could Confuse Many Burglars

This will probably be my favorite hack because nobody would ever think you can go all the way to your neighbor to hide your key. And in fact, it’s somehow dangerous, so most people would never think of it. 

While this is an excellent option if you want to hide your key, it’s also a bit risky, especially if you have untrustworthy neighbors who would sell you out to dangerous people. And like with the other methods, you need to ensure that your neighbor doesn’t see you.

11. Have You Thought About a Rain Gutter

Nobody would ever think of searching on a rain gutter or spout, but rain can wash your hidden key, and you’ll be forced to call a locksmith.

My advice is to avoid hiding your key near the front door. Intruders prefer easy access to your home and will not search the area because this may raise suspicion.

Take a look at the list below for some unexpected hiding places that neither you nor skilled criminals would think to look at.

Places Where You Should Never Hide a Key

Having shown you some of the most common places you can hide your spare key, let’s now dive into some spots that are never safe. At least this should help you know what is best doing and what’s not good at all.

Here are some spots you shouldn’t hide your key.

1. Doormat

This has to be the gold medalist in the Olympics of “poor hiding locations.” This one is familiar to even the most inexperienced thief, and it’s often the first place a burglar would look. If you keep your spare key in this spot, you’re essentially laying out the red carpet for any shady figure to walk straight into your home.

2. A Brick or Rock In a Hallway

We said brick and rock are a good hiding spot, but this only applies if you have a garden outside. Rock and brick is not an option if you live in an apartment building built with smooth walls. It will just attract people to look at it, and they can find the key.

3. Never Hide Your Key Inside the Wallet

Hiding keys in a wallet isn’t a good idea. Because, if you ever misplace your wallet, not only will you lose your cash and cards but also have access to your home. And this would be tough on anyone.

Be wise and take no risks, not lose your variables at once. Pickpockets will know your info, like your address, and since they have your keys, they have access to your house.

4. Don’t Make a Mistake of Under Flower Pots

Burglars already know these hiding spots, and it’s going to be obvious when you repeat the same mistake most people have already made.

Even worse, most homeowners believe that hiding their keys in the flower pot rather than under the pot is more secure, but this has never been the case. In short, keeping your keys under the flower pot is risky and should be avoided at all costs.

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