Yes, it’s very normal. Leaving a set of keys with your agent has several practical advantages.

Firstly, it’s a lot easier for them to conduct accompanied viewings on your behalf. They will want to be as accommodating as possible to prospective buyers, and with a key, they can book the viewing appointment whether you’re going to be home or not – obviously with your prior consent. You probably wouldn’t want to be making the trip to their office every time there’s a viewing to drop off a key - and it’s a lot safer than leaving one under the mat!

And for you, leaving a key with your agent basically enables you to continue leading your normal life, despite your home being on the market. It does mean keeping the house clean and tidy, but you’d need to do that anyway to show it in its best light to every prospective buyer.

If you’re concerned about the security of your key and your home, relax. As part of the duty of care for our clients, all agents who undertake to hold keys are legally required to have clear procedures in place to eliminate any possible risk. So, all keys will be stored in a secure location - generally an office safe or strongbox. As an added precaution, keys will only be tagged with a reference number. The list identifying which number goes with which property will always be kept separately - either elsewhere in the office or in a different location altogether. So, even if by some chance your key were to fall into the wrong hands, it would be almost impossible to link it with your property.