Ground floor approx. 100 sqm, upper floor expandable (planned bathroom, 2 children's rooms, 1 storage room)

Actually, all adult persons who I do not mind being in the house unannounced without ringing have a key.

Actually, all adult persons who I don’t mind being in the house unannounced without ringing have a key.

That's how I know it too. Those are the residents. Plus spare keys, each with parents in my case, given under the promise to never just show up without prior notification. Their spare keys, in turn, I have under the same promise.

The rest can ring the bell for completely spontaneous visits. That almost never happens. Beforehand a WhatsApp "hey, we’re just cycling in the area, are you there, would be at your place in 30 minutes?"

If it fits, then there’s coffee or beer or something. If not, I say so. If the message is not read in time, no one shows up either.

I find this approach very pleasant.

Hmm, I find the discussion very interesting. At our place, everyone rings the bell before entering my house. It doesn't matter if it's my parents or friends or friends of my children. Only the neighbors have keys for emergencies. They would never think of just walking into my living room. Often the "latch" is engaged here, so the front door just opens, but even my boys' friends first ask at the door if they can come in.

I call out to my neighbor/friend across the terrace and she then comes over, and vice versa. But she would never just storm in without knowing if it suits me at the moment. You do need some privacy!

Is that really common with you? And yes, the main entrance is used for everyone. I don't need a second access.

You don't have to build it like this. But it is a successful model in SH. On our side of the street, the one with the odd house numbers, they all have it like this: back door - utility room - kitchen or hallway, if the kitchen is in the living room. On the even-numbered side, one without a back door: is 1 Hamburger.

For entering: we also know what is appropriate. You open the back door and call out. If nothing moves, you leave again.

When entering: we also know what’s proper. You open the back door and call out. If there’s no response, you leave again.

Hey Karsten, please don’t be mad at me, but that has nothing to do with manners! If the door is open, I assume someone is there, and if that someone doesn’t respond to a call, I actually get worried and don’t just leave??

Or do people in SH also leave doors open when they’re out shopping or at the Elbphilharmonie? Probably not.

Tell me, don’t you have burglars where you live? I would never think of leaving any door open, unless I am taking out the trash. I would also find it annoying if some friends just showed up unannounced, you can call beforehand.

Best regards
Sabine