Overview
- Mid-July coverage from German consumer outlets and housing groups reminds tenants that rent, utilities and insurance payments remain due during any absence and should be set to pay automatically or scheduled before leaving.
- Leave a spare key with a trusted neighbour or friend and tell your landlord who can be reached in an emergency so someone can access the flat quickly if a leak or other crisis occurs.
- Make a home look lived in by asking neighbours to clear mail, operate lights and shutters or by using timers for lamps and roller shutters to deter opportunistic daytime burglars.
- Prevent fires, water damage and pests by closing windows and doors, turning off or unplugging nonessential appliances, shutting water valves if possible, emptying perishables and taking out the trash.
- On return, run taps to flush water that has stood in pipes, check for leaks, smells or mould and inspect electrical devices and refrigeration before using them again to avoid health or property problems.