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How to leave an empty house? How to leave an empty house?
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  #1  
Old 7 Sep 2009
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How to leave an empty house?
Looks like I could be away for 6-8 weeks and I'd like to know if anyone else here has learnt from the experience of leaving their home empty.

There's the obvious stuff like unplugging the tv, emptying the fridge, bins, etc, but it's the not so obvious stuff that could end up being important, so anything you found out would be appreciated. Everything's paid by direct debit, so bills are ok and it will be winter so I'm leaving the central heating to come on for an hour or so once a day. I'll also leave a main light on. Neighbours will know I'm away so will keep an eye out and a friend will be passing by about once a week to collect and deal with the mail - but apart from that, there'll be no-one there. So, if there is anything I should know, no matter how small, it will be appreciated. It seems leaving needs as much planning as going. Thanks.

ps - I searched the site in the hope of finding a 'leaving home checklist', but no luck.
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Old 7 Sep 2009
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You could put a few lights on a timer, so they can come on in the evening for a few hours and then go off instead of staying on permanently. You didn't make mention of a garden, but overgrown grass is a tell tale sign, newspapers collecting at the front door is another one.
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Old 7 Sep 2009
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I've got a 'light-sensitive' switch somewhere, which seemed like a good idea when I bought it years ago - just never fitted it. Have a plug timer too. Will fit that to a bedroom light. Cheers.

To be accurate, it's not actually a 'house' but a two storey 'maisonette' on the second and third floor, so no garden. One door in, one door out, with just a kitchen window to look through for anyone passing along the outside walkway. I actually call it a flat, but just said 'house' for convenience. Good point about garden though.

Just thought about going on the 'no junk mail' list too - and I'll talk to the postman to make sure all mail is pushed right through the door.

Really need to write this stuff down. Cheers.
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Old 7 Sep 2009
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The Water
I always turn the incoming water off at the street if I'm gone for more than a weekend, . Had the incoming pipe from the street (underground) crack and leak once while I was gone for a short time. A friend's high-pressure washing machine hose burst on another occasion, flooding the utility room and running the water bill up.

Water off = no possibility of flooding the house.
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Old 7 Sep 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by walkstx View Post
I always turn the incoming water off at the street if I'm gone for more than a weekend, . Had the incoming pipe from the street (underground) crack and leak once while I was gone for a short time. A friend's high-pressure washing machine hose burst on another occasion, flooding the utility room and running the water bill up.

Water off = no possibility of flooding the house.
+1. I know someone who had a pipe burst in their house while they were gone, screwed up their house big time. But another tip: when you turn the water back on, don't turn it on full force at first, let the water trickle back into the pipes for a while to minimize the risk of bursting a seal somewhere (DAMHIK).
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Old 7 Sep 2009
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We were gone for four months out of a five month journey through Europe when our house burned down! A mouse had chewed through a wire that ran under the floor of the den. That brought us home early. We left the bike with a friend and flew home. After buying a new house and furniture we returned to Spain, repacked the bike and continued the trip.
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