Getting Out of the House

Hey all you renters, landlords and property owners out there. Summer is the time for vacationing, and that means, hopefully, actually leaving your house, apartment or condo and getting out there to see the world! Depending on your situation, you may be out for just a few days, or for a few months, but if you don’t have roommates, or they’re coming with you, it’s going to mean leaving your home all alone for a period of time. This week, the Hometown Rant is bringing you a handy guide to make sure your rental property doesn’t miss you too much while you’re gone.

Even if you don’t have a big summer trip planned, chances are you’ll want to get out for at least a few weekends, which won’t be a big deal so long as you take the proper steps to make sure your property is secure. Close your windows and lock your doors, and make sure you remember to bring your keys. If you’re having a neighbor or friend house-sit, don’t forget to leave them a spare, or they might have to resort to drastic measures to get in.

A good habit to get into before leaving the home for any period of time is doing a quick run-through to make sure your electronics and appliances are turned off, and you don’t have any water running. While it may not matter if you’re out getting groceries, a TV or a stereo left on will run up your electricity bill faster than you might think, especially if it’s going for a few days straight. Same with a faucet left even a little bit running. The last thing you want to be paying for on vacation is a huge wasteful water bill from your house or apartment back home. The most important appliance to have off though is the stove. Not only is gas expensive, it can lead to disastrous results if left running unchecked. Don’t be a Rob Schneider. Turn it off.

If you’re planning on being gone for more than just a few days, you’ll want to have a neighbor or a friend check on your house or apartment now and again. This is yet another reason that you want to be on good terms with your neighbors, so if you aren’t yet, you might want to start schmoozing before it’s too late and you have nobody to water your plants while you’re gone. If you have higher orders of things living in your house or apartment, cats or dogs for instance, you’ll want to have someone coming in every day to feed and clean up after them, otherwise you might come home to a big mess at best, and a slew of animal cruelty charges at worst.

As a final note, it’s always nice to clean your house, apartment or condo before you leave. That way when you come home, it’s to a fresh space instead of some gross dishes that have been festering for two weeks while you were away. Most of all though, have fun out there, and hopefully when you come back, you’ll feel refreshed and your rental property will have that magical aura of newness about it once again.

 Do you have rental questions of your own? Comments? Concerns? Love letters? Hate mail? Holla back:  Hometownrant@hometownrent.com

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