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Key Holding

Key Holding Services Across Ireland

We become the named key holder for your premises: your keys are stored securely and a licensed officer attends whenever access is needed out of hours.

Your keys, held securely, ready when needed

Every alarmed building needs key holders: people who can be phoned at any hour to come and open up. In most businesses that job falls to the owner or to a manager who lives nearby, and it follows them on holidays, to weddings and to bed. It also asks them to drive to an empty building at night without knowing what is waiting there.

With key holding, we take that job on. Your keys are stored securely under a reference code, never under your name or address, and every time a key leaves storage it is logged. You give our details to your alarm company as your key holder, and from then on the out-of-hours calls come to our control room instead of to your phone.

Because we already hold the keys, we can do more than answer alarms. An officer can let a contractor in at 6am, open up for an emergency plumber, meet the Gardaí or the fire service at the door, or lock the building properly when the last person out forgets.

Keys coded, logged and securely stored
We act as your named alarm key holder
Out-of-hours access for contractors and emergency services
Lock-up and unlock visits

Request a Quote +353 1 507 9051

Key being used at an alarm control panel inside a building

What you get

No more night calls

Out-of-hours calls about your premises go to our control room, not to you or your managers.

Safer for your staff

Employees are not asked to attend a possible break-in alone, which is a real risk for them and a liability for you.

Anonymous, logged keys

Keys carry a code and nothing that identifies your premises. Every issue and return is recorded.

Always a key holder available

Holidays, sickness and staff leaving no longer create a gap in your key holder list.

Access when you need it

We can let in contractors, cleaners or the emergency services at any hour, on your instruction.

A record of every visit

You get a written report each time an officer uses your keys, with the reason and what was done.

How it works

Step 1

Site familiarisation

We learn the building: doors, alarm panel, codes and shut-off points.
Step 2

Keys handed over

Keys are signed for, given a code and placed in secure storage.
Step 3

Contacts updated

You name us as key holder with your alarm company or monitoring centre.
Step 4

We attend when needed

An officer takes your keys only for an alarm or an access request.
Step 5

Report to you

Every visit is written up and the keys are logged back in.

Who Uses Key Holding

Where this service is used most, and what it does there.

Offices

Removes the on-call burden from facilities and office managers.

Shops, cafés and restaurants

Owner-run businesses where the owner is otherwise the only key holder.

Warehouses and industrial units

Premises on estates that are deserted at night and at weekends.

Schools and community buildings

Principals and caretakers are no longer the people phoned during the holidays.

Managed and vacant properties

Agents and landlords who need access arranged without travelling to the property.

Key Holding is available in Dublin and across Ireland. In the capital? See Key Holding Dublin. All areas we cover.

Licensed, Insured, Answerable

Three things worth checking about any security company before you sign. Here are our answers.

PSA Licensed

The company and every officer we place are licensed by the Private Security Authority, the State regulator for the industry.

Fully Insured

Public liability and employer's liability insurance, with certificates available on request.

Answered 24/7

Our control room takes calls and sends officers at any hour, every day of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a key holding service?

A security company holds a set of keys to your premises and acts as your out-of-hours contact. When the alarm activates or access is needed, a licensed officer attends with the keys instead of you or your staff.

How are my keys stored?

Keys are tagged with a reference code only, with nothing on them that identifies your premises, and kept in secure storage. Each time a key is taken out or returned, it is logged.

Do I need to tell my alarm company?

Yes. Your alarm company or monitoring centre keeps a list of key holders to phone when the alarm activates. You add us to that list, usually as the first contact.

Do I need to tell my insurer?

It is sensible to. Policies differ, and some set conditions about alarms, key holders or unoccupied premises. Check your policy or ask your broker.

What happens if my alarm activates?

Our control room sends an officer with your keys. They check the premises, find the cause, reset the alarm and lock up, and contact the Gardaí if there are signs of a break-in. See our alarm response service for the full process.

Can you let contractors or staff in out of hours?

Yes. On your instruction an officer can open the premises for a contractor, a delivery or the emergency services, stay if required and lock up afterwards.

Do you only hold keys for businesses?

Most of our key holding is for commercial premises, managed developments and vacant properties. If you have a different requirement, ask us.

Need security cover? Talk to our team today.

Tell us about your site and what you want protected. We will come back with a recommendation and a written price.