As Valentine’s Day approaches, experts are warning that many people may be leaving their homes wide open.Locksmiths report that almost a third of people still have a key to at least one previous home, meaning old partners, former housemates or even tradespeople could still have access. Earlier research suggests many couples hand over a front‑door key within the first year of dating, but far fewer think about changing the locks when things go wrong.
Modern break-ups now come with a long digital trail, from shared streaming accounts to location-sharing on phones. Earlier UK research has indicated that around seven in 10 people have shared at least one password with a partner, with more than a quarter admitting to checking up on an ex online after the relationship ends.
Home security specialists say that while people are slowly getting better at changing passwords and revoking digital access, many overlook the most basic risk of all: a physical key. If an ex-partner has a key, they do not need to hack an account or guess a PIN, they can simply walk through the door.
According to the latest England and Wales burglary and residential crime statistics, there were around 342,000 domestic burglary incidents in the year to September 2025, a fall of 20% from the previous year. However, despite that drop, police still recorded 166,577 home burglaries in the 12 months to March 2025, the equivalent of 456 a day, or one every 189 seconds.
Antony Heath, home expert at Glevum says that it is vital to change locks after a breakup from a partner:
“After a break‑up, most people know they should update their passwords, but very few stop to ask who still has a key to their home. If a former partner or housemate can still let themselves in, that is a straightforward security risk. In many cases, a simple lock change and basic check of doors and windows is enough to reduce the chance of someone walking back into your life uninvited.”
Antony’s Simple post‑break‑up home security checklist:
- Change the locks if an ex‑partner, former housemate or lodger still has a key.
- Change the code on any key safe or smart lock to something completely unrelated to your personal life, avoid birthdays, anniversaries or other dates an ex might guess.
- Check all ground‑floor doors and windows close fully and lock securely, and repair or upgrade weak points.
- Avoid leaving spare keys in obvious places such as under plant pots, doormats or in unlocked sheds or garages.
- Keep a note of who currently has a key including cleaners, dog‑walkers or trades and review this after major life changes such as a breakup or a house move.
