17 December 2025

What to Do Before Leaving Your Student House for Christmas

Heading home for the holidays? Whether this is your first winter away from home or you’ve done this before, there are a few things to sort before you lock up and leave. Our student lettings manager, Grace, has put together what you need to know based on her years of managing student properties in Norwich.

Keep the heating on low to protect your pipes from freezing

Switching everything off to save money makes sense, but keeping a low level of heat prevents problems that are easier to avoid now than fix in January. When water freezes, it expands, and that can crack pipes or damage boilers.

We recommend setting your thermostat to come on twice a day for a couple of hours. Morning and evening works well. Aim for around 14 to 15 degrees, though the absolute minimum should be 12 degrees. This keeps the internal temperature above freezing and stops the pipes from icing up.

Secure windows and doors

Norwich is generally a safe city, but student houses can be targets over the holidays when it’s clear no one’s home.

Before you leave, walk around the house and check every window and door is locked. Ground floor and any windows near flat roofs need extra attention. Don’t forget external gates and sheds either.

If you have a key safe or spare key hidden outside, make sure it’s not obvious. And if you’re the last one leaving, check your housemates have done the same.

Unplug non-essential appliances

Unplug everything you’re not using. Toasters, lamps, phone chargers, microwaves, kettles, TVs, consoles. It reduces the risk of electrical fires and saves energy.

Leave your fridge freezer plugged in.

Hide valuables or take them home

Anything valuable or important should come home with you if possible. Laptops, tablets, passports, bank cards.

For bigger items like TVs or gaming consoles that you can’t pack, move them out of sight from windows. Don’t make it easy for anyone to see what’s worth taking.

Look after your plants

If you’ve got plants, they’ll need care before you go. According to the RHS, houseplants can be left for a week or two in winter with minimal attention, as long as the temperature doesn’t fall below what they can tolerate.

Move plants away from windows where it can get cold, and give them water before you leave so the compost is moist but not waterlogged. If you have a friend staying in Norwich over the break, they might be happy to check in on them.

Sort out a quick clean

You don’t need to deep clean till it’s sparkling, but a good clean makes a difference. Empty your bins so nothing’s rotting while you’re away. Clear out the fridge of anything that’ll go off. Chuck any food that won’t last.

Wipe down surfaces if you can. Coming back to a clean house with fresh sheets on the bed is worth the effort.

Return your library books

This one’s easy to forget but those library fines add up fast. Check your bag, check your room, check under your bed. Get everything back before the deadline and save yourself a January headache.

Let your letting agent know your plans

Send us a quick email at Prolet to let us know when you’re leaving and when you’ll be back. It helps us keep an eye on things and means we can get hold of you if needed. It takes two minutes and gives everyone peace of mind.

Quick checklist

Before you lock the door:

• Set heating to 14-15 degrees, twice a day
• Check all windows and doors are locked
• Unplug everything except the fridge freezer
• Take valuables home or hide them
• Water plants and move them away from windows
• Empty bins and clear out the fridge
• Return library books
• Email your letting agent with leaving and return dates

Enjoy your break, see your family, eat too much, and we’ll see you in the new year. If anything comes up while you’re away or you have questions, get in touch.

Safe travels.

Grace
Student Lettings Manager, Prolet

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