Vacations and Your Condominium

With July just around the corner, and the end of the school year finally making its way through Ontario, many will be looking to pack their bags and go for a change of scenery. 

Whether it be a town over for a quick weekend getaway, or a plane ride to a whole new time zone, there’s much to consider when leaving your condominium for any length of time. 

It is murphy’s law that whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. So, why not do everything you can to make sure it doesn’t? As a unit owner, and as a member of your condominium community, there are a few extra steps to take to ensure that while you’re enjoying some well-earned R&R, your unit stays safe, secure, and in tip-top condition. 

Notify your condominium manager.

The first thing you’ll want to do once you’ve settled your departure details, is to inform your condo manager and administrator that you will be away from your unit. This type of notice will allow your condominium management company to be aware of the people trying to access your unit while you’re away. Will you be arranging to have a cleaning crew come in? Someone to water your plants? What about a pet that will need someone to come take care of them? Help keep your community and unit secure by alerting the appropriate channels. Leave your contact information with your manager in case there comes a situation where you need to be contacted. 

Lock all doors and windows. 

In the event that you won’t be using a cleaning crew, or pet/plant sitter, you’ll want to make sure your unit is locked and secure. Check all your windows and close your blinds. Make sure to check any point of entry is secured and locked. Consider taking photos around your unit to compare against your return. Not only will this help protect your unit from unwanted visitors, but also ensure there won’t be unnecessary damage from rain coming through the windows.

Unplug your appliances.

Go around your unit and unplug all appliances that don’t need to be running (like your refrigerator). This will help protect your unit from sudden power surges or from complications of any storm that may happen during your absence. 

Check all your faucets. 

Make sure all your sinks and washrooms are in good working condition. Check your taps to ensure there are no drips that could turn into anything disastrous. Have you been noticing any odd noises coming from your toilet? Get that checked before you leave. No one wants to come home to a flooded toilet, and a downstairs neighbour with a wet ceiling. 

Communicate your parking needs.

Will you be leaving your car behind? Double-check that your car is locked and secured. Will you be taking your car with you? Communicate with management that your spot will be empty during your vacation, so that they can be on the lookout for any opportunist that may take advantage of your parking space during your absence. 

For any planned, or unplanned absences, your condominium manager will be your best friend. Communicating with them ahead of time will help alleviate the stress of leaving your unit. Remember, contacting your condominium manager goes both ways. If while you’re away you feel that you may have left the oven on, or your straightener plugged in, contact your manager and give permission to make sure your home is still in the condition you left it in, and will be in the same condition when you come back home. 

After all, you deserve this vacation. Your condominium community can help ensure that your vacation ends on a high. 

And not a repair invoice. 

Maggie Matian
Marketing Manager for CCI Grand River