Even though you love where you live, it’s good to get out of the apartment every now and then. Whether you’re taking a short weekend trip to see loved ones, or if you’re going to be gone for a week on a business trip, the apartment prep remains the same. These are some of the top things that you want to put on your checklist before walking out the door.

1. Take Out All Trash: This may sound like a no-brainer, but it’s an easy one to overlook. In the rush of packing and getting everyone out the door, you can forget about all of the garage quietly sitting. No matter the length of your trip, you don’t want to leave any trash lingering in the apartment. It’s not only gross, but it could invite bugs and other critters into the place. Check all trash cans and dump everything as you walk out the door.
2. Do The Dishes: The next worst thing to coming home to old trash is coming home to dirty dishes. The food is molded, it’s dried and stuck on, and it leaves room for bugs. Hand wash the big stuff, and toss everything else in the dishwasher. As you walk out the door, push the button to start the dishwasher, and take out the trash.
3. Change the Thermostat: Before you leave, program your thermostat to conserve energy. There’s no need to throw money away on AC or heat while no one is there to enjoy it. Set the thermostat higher in the summer and lower in the winter. You still want to keep the temperature relatively normal to circulate some air, and keep your belongings safe with temperature control. You don’t want too much humidity to collect, so having the HVAC work occasionally is still ideal.
4. Check For Leaks/Maintenance: As you’re going through your apartment, have your eyes open to notice anything out of the ordinary. Take note of leaks or slow drains, and report it to the leasing office for maintenance. The last thing you want to come home to is major damage or repair.
5. Set Up A Security Camera: It’s peace of mind for you, and it gives you added control over your space. Cameras are cheap and easy to use nowadays. You can buy a small camera to hide in every room that syncs up to your smartphone so you can keep an eye out no matter where you are.
6. Double Check Locks on Doors and Windows: Do a quick walk-through and test every door and window. Be sure that all of the latches are secured on the windows, and not just one. Look for any visual cracks to report to the leasing office.
7. Unplug Electronics: Unplugging everything that you can will save you money, as well as protect your electronics from damage. It may be rare, but an electrical surge can happen anywhere. Faulty wiring is the culprit of many fires all year round. Take the extra step to protect yourself and your neighbors.

Trips can be hectic no matter where you are going. Having a set list of reminders can be helpful to keep your mind clear. It’s so nice to come home to a clean, well kept apartment after a long vacation. You’ll be glad you did all of the extra work at the beginning of the trip rather than the clean up at the end.