# Closing a vacation home checklist > To close a vacation home, shut off the main water and drain the pipes if it may freeze, set the heating to a safe minimum, empty the fridge or prop it open, remove food that attracts pests, unplug appliances, close and lock every window and door, and ask someone local to check on it. Photograph the shutoffs and locks so you know exactly how you left it. Closing a cabin, beach house or holiday flat is a bigger job than locking up after a weekend. The place may sit empty for weeks or a whole winter, and small mistakes grow while nobody's there. A dripping tap becomes a water bill. A forgotten box of cereal becomes a mouse problem. A pipe left full in a cold snap can flood the floor. It's also hours away, so you can't pop back to check. Work through this list on the last day, in daylight, without the car already packed and running. Then keep a record of the main shutoffs and locks, so in February you're not lying awake wondering about the water valve. ## Water - [ ] Main water supply shut off [worth a photo] - [ ] Pipes drained by opening the lowest taps, if freezing is possible - [ ] Water heater off or set to vacation mode [worth a photo] - [ ] Toilets flushed after shutoff; antifreeze added to bowls in cold climates (Use plumbing antifreeze, not car antifreeze.) - [ ] Outdoor hoses disconnected and hose bibs drained - [ ] Washing machine and dishwasher supply valves closed [worth a photo] ## Heating and power - [ ] Thermostat set to a safe minimum, often around 50–55°F (10–13°C) [worth a photo] - [ ] Space heaters off and unplugged [worth a photo] - [ ] Wood stove or fireplace cold, damper closed - [ ] Gas supply to appliances turned off if you won't run heat (If you smell gas at any point, leave and call the gas company from outside.) [worth a photo] - [ ] Small appliances and electronics unplugged [worth a photo] - [ ] Breakers switched off for circuits you don't need ## Kitchen and pests - [ ] Fridge and freezer emptied - [ ] Fridge left on, or switched off and propped open to prevent mold - [ ] Dry food sealed in tins or taken home - [ ] Trash removed from the property, not left in outdoor bins - [ ] Stove and oven off [worth a photo] - [ ] Counters and floors wiped so there are no crumbs ## Outside - [ ] Outdoor furniture and cushions stored - [ ] Grill cleaned, gas bottle closed [worth a photo] - [ ] Boats, kayaks and bikes locked away - [ ] Gutters cleared, if leaves are falling - [ ] Shed and outbuildings locked [worth a photo] ## Securing the house - [ ] Every window closed and latched [worth a photo] - [ ] Shutters closed, if there are any - [ ] Interior doors left open so warm air can circulate - [ ] Valuables taken home or locked away - [ ] Back door and side doors locked [worth a photo] - [ ] Front door locked [worth a photo] ## While you're away - [ ] Neighbor or caretaker has a key and your number - [ ] Mail and deliveries forwarded or stopped - [ ] Insurance checked for how long the home can sit empty (Some policies need regular inspections during long vacancies.) - [ ] A note inside the door listing where the water shutoff and breakers are ## Tips - Write your own closing list on paper and leave it in a kitchen drawer. Next season's you, or whoever closes up, will follow the same steps. - Photograph the water main, the thermostat setting and each locked door as you go. Months later that's the only reliable memory you'll have. - Start closing up the evening before you leave. Draining pipes and emptying the fridge take longer than you expect. - Ask a neighbor to check after the first hard frost or big storm. One visit catches most problems early. ## Questions people ask ### Should I turn off the water at my vacation home? Yes. Shutting off the main supply is the single most effective way to prevent water damage while the house is empty. In cold areas, also drain the pipes to stop them freezing. ### What temperature should I leave my cabin at in winter? Somewhere around 50–55°F (10–13°C) is a common minimum to protect pipes. If you drain the plumbing fully, some owners turn the heat off, but check with a plumber for your house. ### Should I unplug the fridge in a vacation home? You can, as long as it's empty, clean and propped open so it doesn't grow mold. Leaving it running is fine too if you want to keep a few long-life items cold. ### How do I keep mice out of a vacation home over winter? Remove all food, including pet food and birdseed, take trash off the property, seal gaps around pipes, and store bedding in sealed bins. ### How can I remember how I left the house months later? Take photos of the water shutoff, thermostat and locks on the day you close up, and keep a written list in the house. Both beat trying to recall it from memory. --- Source: https://getoneloop.app/checklists/closing-a-vacation-home One Loop for iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/one-loop-proof-you-did-it/id6802970270