Home Alone: How to Prepare Your Home for Winter Vacancy

  1. Turn off the water supply. The most important thing you need to do, especially if you’re leaving for the entire winter, is shut off your water supply. …
  2. Drain the waterlines. …
  3. Insulate pipes. …
  4. Turn down the heat. …
  5. Unplug all appliances. …
  6. Throw out the trash.

How do I prepare for a month from home?

Take these steps to put the interior of your house into vacation mode.

  1. Turn Out the Lights. …
  2. Have a Lamp (or Two) on a Timer. …
  3. Adjust the Blinds. …
  4. Scatter Your Valuables. …
  5. Unplug Appliances and Electronics. …
  6. Set the Thermostat Accordingly. …
  7. Purge Perishable Foods. …
  8. Remove the Spare Key.

How do I prepare my house for going away?

Do the following to secure your home and make it look occupied:

  1. Lock any external doors, windows, and the garage.
  2. Don’t hide any house keys near your door.
  3. Set programmable light timers for outdoor lights.
  4. Turn on any motion-activated outdoor lights.
  5. Close your windows and blinds, removing any visible valuables.

How can I leave my house for a long time?

Securing Your Home When You Are Away

  1. Lock All External Doors, Windows, and the Garage. …
  2. Don’t Hide House Keys. …
  3. Ask Neighbors and the Police To Watch. …
  4. Set Programmable Light Timers. …
  5. Activate Motion Activated Outdoor Floodlights. …
  6. Window Blinds, Visible Valuables, and Safe Deposit Boxes. …
  7. Stop the Mail and Newspaper Deliveries.

How do I prepare my house for a week?

General home preparation

  1. Notify your credit card company and home security company that you’ll be out of town.
  2. Make sure your smoke detectors are working properly.
  3. Leave your emergency contact information with a neighbor.
  4. Dispose of any food that could go bad before you return from vacation.

How long can you leave your house empty?

30 to 60 days

Generally, there are no set-rules in place that state how long you can leave your unoccupied property vacant for. However, it is important to note that most standard home insurance providers will only cover an empty property for 30 to 60 days.

What should I do if I leave my house for 2 weeks?

11 Things to Do Around the House Before You Go on Vacation

  1. Arrange for a Friend to Keep Tabs on Your House. …
  2. Clean Out Fridge/Freezer of Perishables. …
  3. Clear Garbage Disposal. …
  4. Put Mail on Hold. …
  5. Arrange for Grass Cutting, Garden Watering. …
  6. Light Rooms/Outside Lights With Timers. …
  7. Turn Off Main Water Supply.

What happens if a house is left unoccupied?

Most standard home insurance policies will only provide full cover for empty properties for up to 60 days. Properties that are empty present a much higher risk of burglary, water damage, fire, vandalism, and even squatters moving in.

How do you stage an empty house on a budget?

Budget-Friendly Home Staging Tips for Empty Homes

  1. Cozy up the entryway. …
  2. Add warmth to the kitchen. …
  3. Add touches of luxury to the bathrooms. …
  4. Bring attention to built-ins. …
  5. Create personality with artwork. …
  6. Use spray paint.

What is the difference between unoccupied and vacant?

Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language has the following to say: Unoccupied: without occupants, but not devoid of furniture or other furnishings. Vacant: having no tenant or contents; empty, void. The difference between the two is a matter of time and intent.

How often should an empty house be checked?

Empty homes are also more appealing for drifters, thieves, and vandals. This is why an empty home can void a home insurance policy. In order to minimize the risk, insurance companies often require a home to be checked in on every 48-72 hours.

How often should you have your house checked when you are away?

every 48 hours

But did you know going on vacation affects your home insurance? Your home insurance requires someone to check in on your home every 48 hours in order to maintain full coverage.

Does it cost more to insure an unoccupied house?

Unoccupied property insurance tends to be more expensive than standard home insurance. This is because vacant properties are considered a higher risk by insurers. Unoccupied properties are more likely to be damaged by: Vandalism.

What should I do if I leave the house for a year?

Home Alone: How to Prepare Your Home for Winter Vacancy

  1. Turn off the water supply. The most important thing you need to do, especially if you’re leaving for the entire winter, is shut off your water supply. …
  2. Drain the waterlines. …
  3. Insulate pipes. …
  4. Turn down the heat. …
  5. Unplug all appliances. …
  6. Throw out the trash.

Can you get 1 month home insurance?

Can I buy normal home insurance for the short-term? No, standard home insurance policies cover your property for 12 months. The only way to buy home insurance for a shorter time than that is to buy unoccupied home insurance.