We’re always a little nervous after we leave our apartment for a long holiday. Are we going to come home to a stinky house because we forgot to take out the trash? Will I have a leak? Let us help to allay them with this handy checklist of things to do before you leave your apartment.
Compiled from our own experience of queries we have received from tenants and our excellent customer service team. This list can help you remember everything that is easy to forget in the excitement of preparing for a trip of any length of time. Follow this list and we promise you won’t come home to a stinky house (and hopefully you won’t have a swimming pool newly installed in your bedroom, too).
Temporarily stop mail and newspaper delivery
or arrange for a neighbour to take care of it.
Prepay bills
that will come due while you are away or any service charges for your apartment.
Finish up perishable food in your refrigerator
or donate to neighbours.
Take out the trash and recycling
no one likes returning to a smelly house.
Do the dishes
you’ll be so glad on your return
Run your garbage disposal
to stop any nasty smells on your return
Coming home food
Run your garbage disposal
to stop any nasty smells on your return
Coming home food
Coming home food
leave a meal waiting in the freezer
Unplug appliances like
coffee machine, computer, TV and other appliances and electronics. Make sure any electronics left plugged in have surge protection
Time your lights
or consider doing this to keep burglars at bay.
Turn down the AC and heat
unless of course a pet sitter and pets will be there and think of the season you are too.
Put on clean sheets
it’s always nice to come home to a clean bed.
Water plants
or arrange for a neighbour to water them
Close and lock windows
to make sure your apartment is secure
If you’ve got a spare key hidden
somewhere outside your house, you may want to remove it, unless of course, you’ve forgotten to take your key on vacation with you.
Sprinkle a little baking soda
in toilets and down the sink drains to avoid coming home to the stench of stagnant water.
Make sure you have not left any wet clothes
in your washing machine or drier. Consider turning off all the water, but at least turn off the water supply to your to washing machines, dishwashers, ice-makers and toilets.
Now turn on your email out of office.
Do this even if you are planning on checking email. It will relieve you of the pressure to answer quickly and reduce the number of emails you get.
Got any great tips that we have missed, then why not email one o our team.
Happy Holidays…