Tips on How to Prep Your Apartment for A Summer Vacation
If you are getting ready for summer travel, take some time to prepare your apartment beforehand. You should be able to enjoy your trip without worrying about things back home, and knowing that your apartment is secure and cared-for will allow you to relax.
Below is a list of tips on how to best prepare your house for vacation from Daniel Management Group, your trusted source for customized property management services near Chicago, IL.
- Tell your property manager you will be out of town during extended trips: If you are going to be gone for more than a long weekend, it’s a good idea to give your property manager or other building staff a heads up so that they can reach you if necessary, or get into your apartment if there is an emergency.
- Make sure any rent or utility payments are scheduled or prepaid before you go: Using an app to pay your rent and setting up online accounts for utilities makes this easy to take care of no matter where you are, just don’t forget what important bills are due before you shift gears to vacation mode.
- Have a plan for mail and packages: If you will be gone for several days, consider putting your mail on hold at the post office so your mailbox doesn’t get overfilled. Additionally, avoid having packages delivered while you’re out of town, or take advantage of a package service app like Fetch to delay your deliveries until you return.
- Take out the trash and wash dishes: Cleaning before you leave for vacation may not be much fun, but you don’t want to come back to a smelly mess. Completing a few simple chores will keep things fresh for your homecoming.
- Set your thermostat to conserve power: If no one will be staying at your place, turn up the temperature on your AC a few degrees so you aren’t cooling an empty apartment (and turn down the heat in the winter). If you have a smart thermostat, you can even program your heating or air conditioning to kick back to your preferred temperature on your return date. Go the extra green mile by unplugging appliances that don’t need to be charging or drawing power while no one is home.
- If you are using a pet, plant, or house sitter, do a run through with them: Let the sitter know about any special tips for getting around your building- For example, how the front door system works or what to do with deliveries, where your dog is allowed in the building, nearby walking routes, and how to access common spaces. Leave the property owner’s or manager’s contact information for the sitter, or anyone else who may be entering your apartment while you are away.
- Do a final check: Before you head to the airport or out on the road, take a look around to make sure you have checked all the boxes: close windows, draw blinds, lock doors, and turn on the alarm system if you have one.
By taking all these steps to prep your apartment before travel, you can truly relax on your summer vacation, and come back with everything ready for an easy transition back into everyday life.