Leaving home for vacation checklist
Prepare your home before a vacation: arrange care, deal with food and deliveries, check appliances and finish with a final walk-through.

ARRANGE CARE AND ACCESS
- Arrange suitable care for pets and leave their usual supplies and instructions
- Ask someone to water plants if they will need attention
- Agree who can check the property if a problem arises
- Share a contact number and your return date privately with that person
- Arrange spare-key access securely with someone you trust
- Explain any locks, alarms or household controls they need to use
- Check any insurer or building requirements that apply while the home is empty

SORT FOOD AND WASTE
- Plan meals to use up food that will spoil while you are away
- Give away or freeze suitable food you will not use in time
- Empty household rubbish and food-waste bins
- Wash dishes and remove food scraps from the sink
- Run or empty the dishwasher before leaving
- Leave the fridge and freezer operating unless you have emptied and prepared them for switching off

HANDLE ROUTINE TASKS
- Pause deliveries or arrange for someone to collect them
- Make a plan for post and parcels
- Finish laundry that would otherwise remain wet in a machine
- Check that important bills or regular payments are covered while you are away
- Leave a simple note with agreed instructions for anyone looking after the home

CHECK APPLIANCES AND SYSTEMS
- Switch off cooking appliances and check that they are cool
- Unplug nonessential appliances that can safely be disconnected
- Keep power to anything that must stay running, such as alarms and the fridge
- Set heating or cooling appropriately for the property, weather and occupants remaining
- Check taps and visible plumbing for drips or leaks
- Check that smoke alarms are working
- Check timers or other security arrangements you normally use

FINAL WALK-THROUGH
- Close and secure accessible windows and external doors
- Check balcony, garage and garden access where applicable
- Bring in outdoor items that could blow away or obstruct access
- Check that no pets are accidentally shut in an unattended room
- Put keys, travel documents and essential bags where you can take them with you
- Set the alarm if you have one
- Lock the final door and check it is secure
- Confirm that the person checking the home has the agreed access details