How do building access keys and codes change hands when a cleaning company is sold?

A cleaning company holds the keys to other people’s property, so this part of a sale is about trust. Ask the seller for an access register: each site, which keys, fobs or codes exist, who carries them, and when they were issued. If there is no register, building one is the first job. Without it nobody can say what has been lost or copied.

Next, ask how each client wants to handle the change. Some will want to issue fresh access to the new owner directly, and some will ask for codes to be reset at closing. Do not assume that existing access carries over just because it works today. Treat it as the client’s decision, and ask the building contacts for their wishes in writing.

On the day of the sale, collect keys from staff who are leaving and confirm the crew who are staying. Store spare keys securely and mark them with codes rather than addresses. Ask your insurer how access, bonding and key-loss cover are affected by the change of owner. Keep a dated record of every handover and reset, because a client may later ask exactly when access changed hands.

Key takeaways

• Build or request an access register of every key, fob and code.
• Let each client decide how their access is reissued.
• Collect access from departing staff when the sale closes.
• Store spare keys securely, labelled by code rather than address.