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We tend to assume that if you have a household you’re going to live it in, but that’s not always the case. Maybe you’ve been called away for a year placement in work, are in the fortunate position of owning two homes, or just want to keep hold of your inherited household as you manage your own affairs and aim to sell it off. Maybe you’re traveling and can’t wait to enjoy your adventure.
If you’re planning not to be around for up to a year or so, making a few adjustments to keep the household in check can be a great idea. In this post, we’ll discuss six practices to achieve that with ease:
- Cover Your Furniture
Furniture left alone for a long time can gather dust, fade, or even get damaged. Luckily, breathable cloth covers work well for most pieces. They keep dust off and protect from sunlight pretty easily. For leather furniture, special covers help prevent cracking in the various temperatures or cold. Moreover, don’t forget about mattresses – a good cover keeps them fresh and free from pests as well.
- Inspect Your Roofing
The last thing you need is an undetected leak that causes real issues. The best roofing company can help identify loose or missing shingles. You can also flash around chimneys and vents to ensure appropriate protection too. While you can’t do this every week, you can at least clean out gutters and downspouts right now. Water needs to flow away from your house so think about the runoff and drain conditions also.
- Set Up Garden Maintenance
An overgrown garden is a perfect signal to would-be intruders that your house isn’t attended or cared for, and so having your lawn mown, weeds pull and plants watered can be helpful. You can arrange this with a neighbor’s child as a chore if you pay them (should you be close to the family), or you can hire a landscaping service to just go over the trimmings for a year, perhaps once a month.
- Discuss With Your Neighbors
Let them know you’re headed away and they’re welcome to park their cars on your driveway for convenience. It will not only help them identify suspicious activity, but make your home look lived in. Just make sure you trust them – for example a nice family could be a good choice, not necessarily a lone wolf neighbor.
- Set Up Motion Lighting
Motion-activated lights are a smart security move. They turn on when someone approaches, surprising potential intruders. Place them near entry points – doors, windows, and garage. Most don’t require battery replacement over time either because they only turn on when angles are detected with motion, and they don’t have to be too powerful.
- Arrange Mail Forwarding
A pile of mail is a clear sign of an empty house, especially if you can still see the outline of letters through frosted glass on your front door. Set up mail forwarding with your post office to stop you missing anything essential. They’ll send your mail to your temporary address and prevent you coming back to endless bills and missed letters.
With this advice, you’ll be sure to leave your household responsibly and safely.
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