Six weeks before
- Call your broker and confirm vacancy conditions in writing
- Book heating system service
- Book irrigation blowout
- Book gutter cleaning
- Arrange snow clearing for the season
- Consider a pre-vacancy professional inspection while trades are available
- Arrange property monitoring and confirm the visit cadence
- Decide on water: maintained heat, or shut off and drained
- If draining, book a plumber
Two weeks before
- Heating serviced and filter replaced
- Irrigation blowout completed
- Gutters cleared, downspouts extended
- Sump pump tested and discharge confirmed clear
- Trees assessed, deadwood removed
- Outdoor furniture stored, loose items secured
- Exterior lighting confirmed working
- Lighting timers set with variation
- Mail arrangements made
- Emergency contacts documented and shared
- Standing authorisation limit set in writing
- Key custody arranged and recorded
Departure week
- Exterior faucets shut off from inside and drained
- Appliance supply valves closed
- Fridge and freezer emptied, switched off, doors propped
- All food removed, including pantry
- Dishwasher and washer emptied, doors ajar
- Garbage, recycling and organics removed
- Plants documented with per-plant instructions
- Windows and doors confirmed locked
- Garage door and man-door secured
- Thermostat set and photographed
- Heating confirmed running
- Water shut off and drained if that is the plan
- Every fixture run and traps treated if draining
- Full photographic and video baseline captured
- First monitoring visit booked
While you are away
The plan should flex with conditions rather than run on autopilot. Increase visit frequency during extreme cold events, and book an additional check after significant storms rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit.
Keep an eye on the interior temperature figure in each report. It is the single most informative number you will receive all winter, and a downward trend across consecutive visits is worth acting on before it becomes a reading below freezing.
Before you fly home
- Return visit booked for a few days before arrival
- Temperature brought up in advance
- Water restored with someone present, and every fixture checked
- Traps refilled
- Water heater checked before you rely on it
- Driveway and walks cleared
- Cleaning arranged if the property has been closed a full season
- Mail sorted, parcels brought in and placed
- Final walkthrough with photographs sent to you before you land