1. Confirm your insurance requirements
Contact your insurance agent before an extended absence. Ask how your policy defines vacant and unoccupied, whether it requires visits at a particular frequency, what documentation may be helpful and whether water or storm preparations are required. Policies differ, so rely on your own insurer and policy documents.
2. Arrange access and emergency contacts
Provide working keys, lockbox or smart-lock instructions, alarm details and gate access. Identify at least one emergency contact and decide how much emergency spending, if any, may be authorized when you cannot be reached. Share the names of guests or contractors expected at the property.
3. Prepare water and plumbing
Follow the guidance of your insurer and qualified plumbing professionals about the home’s water supply. Check for existing drips, leaks or slow drains before leaving. If designated fixtures will be operated during home-watch visits, make those instructions clear in advance.
4. Set up cooling, humidity control and air circulation
Have the air-conditioning system serviced when due, replace filters as appropriate and confirm the condensate drain is clear. Choose thermostat and humidity settings based on professional guidance for your home.
If you use a smart thermostat, select a model that lets you monitor conditions remotely and can activate the air conditioning or dehumidification function when indoor humidity becomes too high—even when the temperature has not. Pair it with your phone and test the thermostat and its alerts before departure.
Leave ceiling fans running on an appropriate low setting to help circulate indoor air. Fans connected to smart switches can instead be scheduled to turn on and off at selected times during the day. Ceiling fans circulate air but do not remove moisture, so they should complement—not replace—proper air-conditioning and humidity control.
Leave interior doors open wherever practical, including closet and pantry doors and kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors, so conditioned air can circulate through enclosed spaces. Keep any doors closed that must remain closed for fire safety, security or another specific reason.
5. Prepare food, appliances and the rest of the home
- Discard fresh and perishable refrigerator food before an extended absence.
- Move suitable dry foods and snacks into sealed containers or the freezer to help preserve them and discourage pests. If you will be gone longer than a month, discard items that may not store well.
- Take out all trash and clean food residue from counters, sinks and appliances.
- Confirm the refrigerator and freezer settings and decide which appliances should remain operating.
- Unplug nonessential devices when appropriate.
- Secure doors, windows, lanai access and outdoor items.
- Arrange mail, package and lawn care.
- Check smoke-alarm batteries and accessible detectors.
- Provide instructions for vehicles or golf carts that require periodic attention.
6. Schedule and document home watch
Choose the checklist and frequency that match your needs, and leave written instructions for special conditions. Gator Check provides weekly focused interior observations exclusively for Riverwood residents. Gator Guard adds complete interior and exterior home watch, including designated plumbing operation and other items in the comprehensive checklist, with weekly or every-other-week scheduling. Every plan includes photographs, reports and HWIT Client app access.