Heading out of town, even for a long weekend? You need to make sure you have someone check on your place while you are gone, even if its for a short time, and especially during inclement weather.
In the end, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for anything that happens to the home while you are a tenant and the home is in your possession, even if it happens while you are away.
Long weekend, business trip, holidays, leaving at the end of a semester? Have someone check your home!
If you will be gone for an extended period of time, it is very important that you have someone check your home. If something happens while you are away, such as a water leak, and you are not around to check it or report it, then the damage can be much worse than if you had been home and noted the problem right away.
Cold weather during a trip? Have someone check your home!
If the temps are low while you are gone, it is especially important that you have someone check your place. And if you failed to take the steps to prevent frozen pipes, then you should have someone stop by to do that, or come back yourself, just to be safe. Because a frozen house is an expensive proposition. That’s why we include it in the policies and procedures AND send regular notices before typical trip times AND send notices if the weather changes. Its just that big of a deal.
Things can happen when no one is home, and they become a bigger deal when the folks who aren’t there also don’t check. Furnaces can stop working. That’s an inconvenience when you are home. It can be a catastrophe if you are not and if no one notices until you get back. Again, its that important.
Please just do it: Don’t assume all is well.
And in a pinch, you can ask us to check for you. It might cost a trip charge, and doesn’t absolve you of your responsibilities, but we don’t want anything to happen to your place either, and are happy to help if we can do so.
Some Details, from your handy dandy legal agreements
From the lease…
7.12. Tenant shall not permit any person to destroy, deface, damage, impair or remove any part of the Leased Premises. Tenant shall promptly report any defect, damage or breakage to Landlord. Except in the case of emergencies, Tenant shall obtain the prior written approval of Landlord before ordering any repairs. Without exception, costs associated with any repairs made by landlord shall be due and payable upon receipt of bill from landlord. Tenants will be liable for any damages resulting from extended absence from the Leased Premises during the lease term.
Policies and Procedures (incorporated within the lease)
EXTENDED ABSENCES. During periods absence from your unit, it is your responsibility to have someone periodically check that the unit is secured and without maintenance issues, including but not limited to, water leaks, loss of heat or air conditioning, broken windows, etc. Without exception you will be liable for any and all costs associated with such damages. Do not turn heat, AC, or electricity off.