Going on holiday: how to leave your home with peace of mind

A practical pre-holiday home checklist covering water, electricity, fridge, shutters, mail, keys and who can enter if something happens.

Closing the door and leaving for a holiday should feel good. Instead, that is often when the mental checklist starts: did I shut the water, what about the fridge, what if the alarm goes off, who can get in if the neighbour calls?

You do not need to turn departure into a military operation. A few decisions made in advance are enough.

Before leaving: five minutes that remove doubt

• Check doors, windows, shutters and awnings.
• Look at taps and areas with a history of leaks.
• Decide which appliances stay connected.
• Set the fridge according to how it will be used.
• Remove rubbish and perishable food.
• If you will be away for months, think about drains, humidity and ventilation.

Do not leave obvious signs of an empty home

An overflowing mailbox, accumulated advertising or the same notice on the door for weeks can make it obvious that nobody is visiting the property.

An alarm helps, but it cannot enter the home

An alarm can warn you about intrusion or certain sensors. But if someone needs to check a door, inspect a loose shutter or let a technician in, you still need a person and a key.

Think through the awkward scenario before you leave

Imagine a neighbour messages halfway through your trip because they hear running water. Who do you call? Do they have a key? Can they go today? Do they know where the stopcock is? Having those answers before leaving changes the experience of being far away.

If the home will be empty for weeks

Depending on the property, a monthly or twice-monthly visit can make sense. A check can spot leaks, damp, faults or shutter problems before they become much bigger.

And before you come back

You can reverse the process: a pre-arrival visit to air the home, confirm systems are working, make beds or leave a basic grocery shop.

Clau24 can hold your keys securely and add visits or one-off services while you are away.