Have accidentally returned from holiday with keys to the apartment- cheapest way to remedy this?

[Bookridden]

Back home in Somerset from a fab stay in London, only to find I have accidentally and stupidly brought the holiday apartment keys home with me. Obviously, I need to return them ASAP, and at my expense, but can you recommend the cheapest way to do this? I'm also worried because someone else is renting the apartment tomorrow, and we have a set of the keys. Can anyone advise? (I know it was a stupid and careless thing to do).

You could courier them back on next day delivery? May be too late tonight but could do it tomorrow and have them back by Saturday.

Let the owner or agent know you have the keys, ask for address to post them to and pop them in a bubble envelope and post them signed and tracked tomorrow.

They should have spare keys.

This, they will have spares, it’s not uncommon.

They’ll definitely have spares, but send them back next day delivery.

They may not be able to rent the property out if someone else has a set of keys still, due to security reasons. I don't think I'd want to rent a house knowing that the last people who stayed there could technically just walk in. Obviously you're not a weirdo, but they don't know that. Hopefully they'll be fine with it. Just have them couriered back ASAP!

Being cheap isn't your priority here.

Just send them back recorded next day delivery.

Happens all the time. Just send them back by post.

You don’t need to do next day. Just signed and tracked. London to Somerset 1st class signed and tracked only takes 1-2 business days anyway…you’d just be paying extra for nothing. And there’s no huge urgency as they will have spares.

Surely the best way is the quickest way? Why are you looking for the cheapest when it puts the homeowner in a tricky position?

This.

I used to manage a holiday let and it does happen, but speaking as the person who has to deal with the potential fallout, get them sent back as quickly as possible using tracking, NOT Royal Mail 2nd class. Fair enough, you made a mistake, but please don’t try and fix it on the cheap.

Also, please ensure you explain to the contact for your apartment and keep them up to date on what you’re doing. Trust me, having to repeatedly phone/email a former guest who’s gone off with your keys but vaguely promised to send them back then won’t respond to you is not fun.

We've done this before. Rang the owner and explained. Sent them back tracked/signed for delivery.

I'd call the owner or letting agent right away to let them know the keys are safe, not lost, and you will return them asap

Return them direct to the owner or letting agent securely wrapped in a box, (so that nobody handling it knows thay are keys) sent by recorded delivery royal mail.

Don't post them to the holiday house/new occupant.

This is what we did in the end. Apologised profusely, owner wasn't worried luckily. Thanks for the replies.