to think my mother does not have a right to my house keys whilst on holiday?

[mrsfrisby]

I am going away for a week tomorrow and my mum informed me earlier that she is coming round to get a spare key so that she can look in on the hamster while I am away. When I explained that I didn't want her to have a key she got huffy and said that if I was being 'awkward' she didn't want to speak to me anyway. I have organised for the neighbour to look in, but don't feel I need to explain/ justify my arrangements to my mum who has a habit of walking in without knocking and snooping when noone is around. AIBU to refuse her access to my house, even if ostensibly she is trying to be helpful?

God, no! if you don't trust someone, you don't give them access when you aren't even there!

Who's to say she wouldn't get a copy done of the key, "just in case" she misplaced the original?

well without the undertones, she's offered to look after the hamster, you've said there's no need. Presumably it would be less inconvenience for a neighbour to do it anyway?
so no need for her to be miffed or for you to worry she might be

I'm thinking spare WILL def be made too

YANBU. If it had been me I would have gone a bit OTT saying how I wouldn't possibly want to inconvenience her and so had already arranged for the neighbour to pop in- but thanks sooo much for offering! And then changed the subject.

Stick to your guns girl! She may be related but that does not give her snooping visiting rights.
I'd warn the neighbour about her too; she may try a sneaky 'sanielle said I could pop by to pick up a book fine tooth comb I lent her, no need for you to come, just give me the key, I'll only be a minute'