The taxi is booked, the passports are on the hall table and the suitcase finally closes. Then, somewhere over the sea, the doubt arrives: did anyone switch off the iron? Was the back door locked? A short, methodical walk through the home before you leave puts those thoughts to rest and protects the place you will be coming back to. Here is a room-by-room approach that works whether you are away for a long weekend or most of the summer.
A week or so before
- Arrange a key holder. A trusted neighbour, friend or relative who can check in, collect post and deal with surprises is worth more than any gadget.
- Pause or redirect deliveries. Newspapers, milk, subscriptions and parcels piling up by the door announce an empty house.
- Book any overdue jobs. A dripping tap or a tired washing machine hose is easier to fix now than to discover later. If you are mid-project, our piece on plumbing during renovations explains what a careful plumber looks at.
- Check your home insurance. Some policies have conditions about how long a property can be left unoccupied, so read the small print if you are going away for longer.
Kitchen
- Empty the fridge of anything that will spoil, and take the bins out on the last morning.
- Run the dishwasher a day early so it can dry with the door ajar, rather than leaving damp dishes sealed inside.
- Unplug small appliances such as the toaster, kettle and coffee machine.
- Check that the oven and hob are off, then check again.
- Wipe surfaces and store open food in sealed containers so nothing attracts pests.
Bathroom and utility room
Water is the quiet risk in an empty house. A small leak that would be noticed within an hour can run for days when nobody is home. Many people turn off the water supply to the washing machine and dishwasher, and some prefer to shut off the main stopcock entirely; make sure you know where it is and that it turns freely before you need it in a hurry. If you have heating that protects pipes from frost, ask a heating engineer or follow the manufacturer's advice before switching it off in colder months.
It is also worth knowing what happens if the worst does occur. Our guide to what professional water restoration includes is useful reading for the key holder too.
Living room and bedrooms
- Switch off and unplug televisions, games consoles, chargers and anything else that does not need to stay on.
- Leave curtains or blinds in a natural position rather than tightly closed all day.
- Put valuables, spare keys and important documents out of sight.
- Strip the beds and leave fresh linen ready, so coming home feels like a welcome rather than a chore.
Plants and pets
Group houseplants together in a bright spot away from direct midday sun, water them well the day before you leave and ask your key holder to top them up if you are away for long. For pets, confirm the sitter or boarding arrangements, leave written notes on feeding and routines, and include contact details for your vet.
Security and devices
| Task | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Set lamps on timers or smart plugs | A light that comes on in the evening makes the house look lived in |
| Lock windows, side gates and sheds | Back and side entrances are easy to forget |
| Test smoke alarms | A working alarm can alert neighbours to a problem |
| Update router and camera apps | Remote alerts are only useful if they work |
| Keep holiday photos offline until you return | Public posts can reveal that the house is empty |
Outside
Mow the lawn if it is due, put garden furniture and tools away and lock the bins if wind is forecast. Move ladders out of sight. If you have outdoor lights on sensors, check that they still work.
The final walk round
On the morning you leave, give yourself ten unhurried minutes. Start at the top of the house and work down, room by room, with a short list on your phone. Check taps, plugs, windows and the hob. Take a photo of the oven dials and the locked back door if it helps you stop wondering later. Leave a copy of your itinerary and an emergency contact with your key holder.
Coming home
When you return, open windows to air the rooms, turn the water back on slowly and look under sinks and around appliances for any signs of moisture. Then put the kettle on. The house has been looked after, and so have you.
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