With the holidays coming up in December, the University Winter Shutdown, and many students going home for the break, it’s important to leave your home in good shape before you go.
Please note that most services and offices at Queen’s University will be closed for the Winter Shutdown from 4:30 pm, December 23rd, 2025, to 8:30 am, January 5th, 2026.
Here are some tips to prepare your home if you plan to be away:
- Tell your landlord you’ll be gone.
Letting your landlord know is the first step. This will help them understand that you will be away in case they need to stop by the unit for any reason, and also in case they notice something out of the ordinary. They may even offer to check on the property while you are away.
- Arrange for someone to check on your home.
Depending on how long you’ll be gone, it might be a good idea (or even required by insurance) to have someone check in. This could be your landlord, a property manager, or a friend. If there’s snow, footsteps around the house can make it look like someone is there, avoiding possible break-ins.
- Keep the heat on.
It can be tempting to turn off your heat to save money, but this can cause pipes to freeze and burst. Make sure your heating stays on to keep your home safe. Your lease might even say what temperature you need to keep while away.
- Do not unplug your fridge.
Although you will not be using it, keeping it plugged in ensures it does not generate bad odours due to being sealed with no circulating air.
- Clean inside and outside.
A tidy yard and home make it look like someone is still there, taking care of it. Plus, it’s nicer for you when you come back.
- Turn off outside taps.
If you have outdoor water taps or hoses, turn them off when it starts to get cold. This avoids freezing and possible damage to these taps.
- Lock everything up.
Bring in all things from outside and make sure all doors and windows are locked before you leave.
- Leave some lights on or use timers.
Having a few lights on can make it look like someone is home.
- Check for any repairs or problems.
If you had leaks or other issues recently, make sure they are fixed so nothing bad happens while you’re gone.
Also, Queen’s students can sign up for the Holiday House Checker program provided by the AMS. This program helps check your home over the holidays. It is first-come, first-served, and there are only a limited number of spots. You’ll get an email when your spot is confirmed. The deadline to register is January 5, 2026.