What is done in the last hour decides the months after
Closing your house when you leave
The house you leave is the house you find
On the last day there is never enough time: the flight, the suitcase, the keys. And that is precisely the day that decides how the house gets through the months ahead. We close up after you, with a list, and send you the proof.
Free checklist · PDF
The closed-house checklist
Everything to do on the day you leave, what to check while you are away and what to look at when you come back. To print and stick on the kitchen door.
It is yours.
Download it here. If one day you would rather we did it, the prices are on this very page.
Download the checklist (PDF)Price
What you get
- The main stopcock closed and the water heater switched off.
- The fridge emptied, cleaned and left ajar, if you choose to unplug it.
- The circuits that must stay live identified, such as the pool pump.
- Shutters, windows, terrace doors and storerooms checked one by one.
- Rubbish out, food that attracts insects removed, and plants and irrigation sorted.
- The closing list signed and sent, so you know what was done and what was not.
Why this matters now
Most of the damage found on return starts on closing day: a flexible hose that bursts with the water left on, an unplugged fridge left shut that fills with mould, a badly closed window that lets the rain in. None of it costs anything to prevent; all of it costs a lot to discover.
What this service is NOT
Closing the house is not watching it: once closed, nobody goes in until you return unless you book the visits. We do not maintain pools or gardens: we leave them as you or your contractor have programmed them. And check the empty-property clause with your insurer: some policies change their cover if the house stays empty for many days in a row.
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Questions about this service
Do I need to be there?
No. The usual way is that you leave in the morning and we close in the afternoon, with your keys or the ones we hold for you. If you prefer to be there, we do it together and you learn the list.
Should I unplug the fridge or leave it on?
It depends on how long you are away and whether anyone will call in. If nobody will open the house for months, emptying and unplugging it with the door open carries the least risk. If visits are planned, it can stay on. We ask you first; we do not decide for you.
Is there a list so I can do it myself?
Yes, and it is free. The closed-house checklist is on this very page: you can download it, print it and stick it on the kitchen door.
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This page was last checked on 4 September 2026
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