I'll give you the keys so you can work when I'm not there.
KYA-vi — two syllables; 'ki' makes a hard 'ky' sound before the vowel.
Use this when agreeing to give a tradesperson unsupervised access to your home during renovation works. This is a significant act of trust — only do so with tradespeople who have been verified and recommended.
Giving keys to a tradesperson (consegnare le chiavi) is a common practical arrangement in Italy during multi-day renovations when the owner works or travels. It carries legal implications — the tradesperson becomes responsible for security and can be liable for any damage or loss during their access. A brief written agreement about access and responsibility is advisable.
Ecco le chiavi. Per favore, chiuda bene quando va via.
Here are the keys. Please lock up properly when you leave.
Practical instruction accompanying key handover; chiuda bene (lock up properly) is essential to specify.
Può avvisarmi quando inizia e quando finisce ogni giorno?
Can you let me know when you start and finish each day?
Reasonable request for daily check-in; a WhatsApp message suffices.
Restituisca le chiavi al termine dei lavori.
Return the keys at the end of the works.
Important reminder; agreeing on this in advance avoids awkwardness later.
Entrusting keys to a tradesperson is a significant Italian cultural act — it signals fiducia (trust), which in Italy is not given lightly to strangers. The passaparola (word-of-mouth recommendation) system is so important precisely because it creates a social chain of accountability: if a trusted friend recommended the tradesperson, that friend's reputation is also at stake, creating powerful social guarantees that no contract can match.