Brits allowing “strangers” to enter their homes unsupervised are putting their homes at risk, new research has shown.

The research by leading home insurer MORE TH> N found that more than 7.7 million Brits (27% of all working adults) are allowing strangers such as window cleaners, builders, and utility trades-people to enter their homes unsupervised.

The insurer’s research added that 14% of those who had given non-residents keys suffered losses – for example, by damage to their homes, by food being eaten, or by the telephone being used by non-residents.

Craig Allen, home product manager for MORE TH> N, commented: “In the unfortunate event that someone you trust does let you down by damaging your property or stealing from your home, it’s vital that you have home insurance to cover the cost.

“Six per cent of the people we surveyed said they had made an insurance claim following an incident with a non-resident. We advise people to contract help through professional organisations for added peace of mind”.