Locking your house up properly is a lot more than just shutting the door with the key, it is ensuring nothing bad happens while you are gone. If you want a relaxing holiday and to avoid shocks when you get home, this is your Linea Directa checklist for when you leave your home unattended.
The art is to leave your home efficiently locked up and as secure as possible. Let’s start off with the basics:
- All door must be locked with keys.
- Windows should all be closed properly.
- Cut your water and gas off, and make sure all electrical appliances are unplugged.
- Let your trustworthy neighbours know you will be away, so they can keep an eye out.
- Turn your house alarm on.
- Check your house insurance and communicate the dates you will be away to your insurance company if they require it.
It is essential you make sure your home doesn’t give signs of being alone or abandonment, as it attracts robbers and ‘okupas’ (squatters). Some easy steps you can make are the following:
- Make sure your postbox is not full of publicity- get a neighbour to remove it.
- If you have electric shutters, try and alternate the height they are at.
- Programme your lights ( if possible) to turn on and off- or leave a small lamp on.
- Don’t post anything on social media until you get back.
- Don’t leave your key in your typical ‘hiding spot’.
Double check all possible entrances or ‘weak points’ of your home. Some important ones that are often overlooked are: main and secondary doors, windows, balconies and terraces, garage, internal patios and basements.
Something lots of people worry about is the rise of illegal squatting. There are many Spanish laws that protect squatters once they enter and settle in your home, so trying to protect your home to avoid surprises when you get back is very important.
Similarly to normal anti-robbery practices, try and not make your house look too empty, ensure to lock up windows and doors properly and communicate your absence to a trusted neighbour or friend.
On top of that, there are certain anti-squatter insurances you can get, like the Linea Directa one on offer which is at a brilliant competitive market price and can provide that extra bit of confidence and tranquillity you need when you are going on holiday.
For more information visit lineadirecta.com for their insurance policies. We chatted about this topic on our recent show:
