The Holiday Prep Checklist: How to leave your home without the worry
There’s a specific kind of dread that settles in at the airport departures lounge. You’ve got the passports and the kids are accounted for, but then the thought hits: Did I actually lock the back door? Is the iron still on?
In the UK, our homes are our biggest assets, yet we often leave them unattended for a fortnight with little more than a quick turn of a key. A solid holiday routine isn't just about security; it’s about preventative maintenance. It’s the difference between returning to a sanctuary or returning to a flooded kitchen or a staggering energy bill.
Here is your guide to prepping your home for a summer break.
1. The Energy Drain
A dormant house doesn’t stop consuming power. Standby power (the energy used by appliances that are plugged in but inactive) can account for a significant portion of your annual bill.
The Big Unplug: Walk through every room. Unplug toasters, kettles, computers and TVs.
Smart Thermostats: Ensure your Hive or equivalent is set to holiday mode. You don’t need the water heater firing up for an empty house.
2. Water: The Silent Threat
Internal plumbing issues are a leading cause of home insurance claims in the UK. A tiny drip from a washing machine hose can become a catastrophe over 14 days.
The Stopcock Strategy: The safest move is to turn off your water at the main stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink).
The Final Flush: After turning off the water, flush the toilets to empty the cisterns. This prevents stagnant water and reduces leak risks.
If you aren't sure where your stopcock is, find it today, take a photo, and upload it Hartley. If a neighbour needs to help in an emergency, you can send them the photo instantly.
3. The Lived-In Look
Effective security is about deterrence. Most opportunistic burglars look for easy signs of an empty home.
The Post Problem: An overflowing letterbox is a giveaway. Use the Royal Mail Keepsafe service or ask a neighbour to move your post out of sight.
Light Timers: Don't leave one light on 24/7. Use smart plugs to set lamps to come on in the evening and turn off at bedtime.
Curtain Logic: Keep curtains open as normal. Closing them all day looks unusual and signals your absence.
Garden Tidy: Mow the lawn right before you leave. Shaggy grass in July is a clear indicator of an empty house.
4. Ventilation and Freshness
UK homes are built to retain heat, which can lead to stale air or summer mould during a humid spell.
Internal Doors: Leave these open to allow air to circulate through the house rather than getting trapped in individual rooms.
Trickle Vents: Ensure the small vents at the top of your windows are open. They provide just enough airflow without compromising security.
The Bin Deep-Clean: Empty every bin, especially food waste. A banana skin left in an August kitchen will result in a fruit fly colony by the time you're back.
5. Your 5-Minute Hartley Departure Protocol
Hartley turns a stressful morning into a calm process. Instead of wondering, you can simply check your app.
Windows: All locked, including the small latches.
Pet/Plant Care: Instructions logged and key handover confirmed.
Appliances: Toaster, kettle, and coffee machine unplugged.
Waste: All bins emptied and moved.
Valuables: Car keys and jewellery moved to a secure, non-visible location.
Your home is your sanctuary. Spending 60 minutes on these tasks doesn't just protect your brick and mortar; it protects your peace of mind.
Go on, get that sangria. Your home is handled with Hartley.
