How do I prepare my home for a long absence?

With the holiday break just around the corner, some of you may be travelling or visiting family and friends, so we’ve put together a list of things to do in your apartment before you go on vacation.

Let your landlord know

Some lease agreements have a clause that says you need to contact your landlord if you are going to be away from your property for a specific amount of time. Even if your lease does not state this, it might be a good idea to let them know, especially in case of an emergency.

Give a friend or family access

Most of us have a friend or family member that has a spare key to our apartment just in case of an emergency. If you are going to be gone for an extended period of time, it’s a good idea to have someone check on your apartment while you’re away just to make sure everything is in order and in case of any emergencies as well.

Adjust the thermostat

If you’re going to be away during the winter months, make sure your thermostat is set to handle cold conditions. If temperatures happen to drop drastically while you are away, you want to make sure your apartment is warm enough that you don’t have worry about pipes bursting and freezing.

Unplug electronics and appliances 

Certain electronics and appliances do not need to be active while you are away since nobody will be using them. Before you leave, look around the apartment and figure out what you should unplug while you are away. Not only will it cut down on your utility bills, but also you won’t have to worry about accidentally leaving the oven on. 

Check faucets and taps

Before you leave, make sure your faucets and taps are off, and none of them is leaking. The last thing you want to deal with is a flood in your apartment while you are away.

Put your mail on hold

If you are going to be away for an extended period, it’s a good idea to put your mail on hold so that your mailbox isn’t filling up. For more information, visit Canada Post, they have a service specifically for this.

Bill payments 

Make sure you have arranged to have your bills paid on time. Christmas time is usually a time when we all tend to change our routines and can easily forget to make bill payments, especially if they are due on New Year’s Day. So plan ahead to make sure you don’t get charged any late fees.

Clean

Take the time to take out the trash and clean your apartment. If you leave trash, scraps or clutter laying around, it may be the perfect breeding ground for pests, germs and bacteria. Plus, you’ll come back to a smelly apartment. Let’s be honest, once you come back from vacation, all you want to do is kick back and relax.

Seal and store food properly

If you have any food, make sure it’s in the fridge or freezer. If you have any dried foods, like pasta or rice, make sure they are stored in airtight containers, preferably away from light. This will make sure they stay fresh and do not attract any pests. 

Close all windows and balconies

Before you leave, make sure you inspect all windows and balconies and make sure they are locked and sealed tight. This will prevent any damage due to cold weather and will also limit or prevent any break-ins.

Plan for your return

Once you come back from vacation, the last thing you want to do is run errands or do any work. If possible, freeze some food before you leave or plan for something that will be easy to prepare. If you have to work or school the next day, have your clothes and any other items ready.

This may seem like a lot to do, but knowing you’ve taken care of all this will make your vacation a lot better, and when you come back home, you won’t have to worry about a thing. If you have any other ideas, please comment below, contact us or comment on our social media. Enjoy your time off!