Your bags are packed, your reservations are confirmed and your passport is at the ready. Before you leave for vacation, however, there are a few important things that will ensure your condo is just as you left it when you get home. From making sure your climate control system is in good working order to giving the fridge a once-over for perishables (and of course, making sure you have the right condo insurance for your needs) here’s a pre-departure checklist to ensure your peace of mind while on vacation and avoid any unpleasant surprises on your return.

Lock your doors and windows

You’re probably used to locking the door when you leave the house, but it’s all the more important if you’re going to be away for an extended period. The same goes for windows and patio doors, even if you’re on an upper floor. If you’re one of the many people who can never remember if they locked the door, try saying it out loud as you’re doing it (“I am locking the door now,”) to help you remember, or taking a photo/video of it on your smartphone. This also works with unplugging appliances and making sure faucets are turned off.

Set your thermostat

If your condo has its own electricity meter, you can save money by adjusting your thermostat before you leave. In the winter, this means turning the temperature down to 15 degrees Celsius or so, which is warm enough to keep your pipes from freezing but cool enough to make a difference on your next bill. In the summer, you can set your thermostat in the range of 25-30 degrees Celsius, or turn off the air conditioning completely. If you live somewhere extremely humid, however, leaving your AC off can risk moisture buildup, and isn’t advisable if you’re going to be gone for more than a few days.

Check your fan coil

What’s a fan coil, you ask? Now’s a great time to learn about the system that heats and cools many apartment and condo units, AKA a fan coil, as well as its suggested maintenance schedule. Fan coils should be cleaned and inspected twice a year to ensure good air quality and prevent leaks. If you haven’t had your fan coil checked recently, this is a great excuse to prioritize that.

Have someone on call

If you’re away for more than a week, it’s advisable to have someone check in on your unit while you’re gone. In addition to watering plants and making sure your dishwasher hasn’t sprung a leak, having someone you trust on call can also be useful in the unlikely event of an emergency like a fire or a flood in an adjacent unit. If you have a vehicle in the condo’s parking garage, it might also be useful to give this person a spare key in case it needs to be moved.

Notify property management

Whether you’re going away for a weekend or a month, it’s a good idea to share your travel dates with your condo’s property management company and/or concierge service, in case of emergencies. If you have a house-sitter, pet-sitter, plant-waterer, or emergency contact person, include this info as well. 

Clean out the fridge

No one wants to come home to an evolving ecosystem of leftovers in the fridge, so be sure to get rid of any perishables in your refrigerator and pantry before you leave. Likewise, make sure your kitchen garbage and green bin (if you have one) are empty and clean.

Check faucets and appliances

The worst time for a dishwasher or washing machine to spring a leak is while you’re on vacation. You can greatly lower your odds of a mishap by doing a visual inspection at the connection points under the sink and behind your washer/dryer or turning off the water supply to your appliances before you leave. Likewise, make sure all faucets are turned off before you head out.

Get your admin in order

Are your bills up to date? Is there any scheduled maintenance coming up? Double check your calendar to make sure you won’t be gone during the annual parking garage cleaning or any other important condo maintenance, and inform your property manager accordingly.

Post with caution

Resist the urge to post a pre-vacation selfie online, which is a great way for would-be thieves to know your unit will be vacant. You’ll have plenty of time to post vacation pics when you get home.

Wash your sheets and do the dishes 

This isn’t specific to condo owners, just good advice. Nothing ruins the post-vacation vibe faster than an unmade bed and a sink full of dirty dishes.

Jeremy Freed is a freelance writer and editor based in Toronto. His writing about fashion, travel, food and design appears in Sharp, Harry and re:Porter magazines, among many others.

Jeremy Freed is a paid spokesperson of Sonnet Insurance.