Updated 12 October 2026
Preparing your London home for the summer
What to have done in the weeks before the family arrives, so the home is ready on the first evening.
Arriving at a home that has been closed for months should not mean a first week of tradesmen and errands. Most of the preparation can be done before you travel, if it is started early enough.
Four weeks before
- Book the boiler service and any certificates that fall due in the summer
- Arrange repairs noted at the last visit
- Check that window locks, alarms and door entry systems work
One week before
- Deep clean, with carpets, curtains and upholstery where needed
- Hot water and heating run and checked
- Garden, terraces and window boxes tidied
- Wi-Fi, television and appliances tested
The day before
- Beds made and towels laid out
- The fridge stocked with essentials
- The home aired, with blinds and lights set for your arrival
When you leave again
Close-down matters as much as arrival: water, heating and appliances set for an empty home, valuables secured, post redirected and a visit booked for the following weeks.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change; check the current position for your property.
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