A One-Page Home Handoff Sheet for Whoever Checks Your Place

Away Mode · Last reviewed 2026-10-16

When you leave home for more than a few days, having a neighbor, friend, or family member check in helps catch small issues before they become major problems. The easiest way to help them is to leave a single, straightforward sheet on the kitchen counter or table. Keep it to one physical page, covering only the practical details someone needs when stepping through your door.

What to include on the sheet

1. Emergency and Trade Contacts

If water is leaking or the heating cuts out during a winter cold snap, your contact person should not have to guess who to call or wait hours for you to respond across different time zones.

  • Plumber: Name and phone number.
  • HVAC or Heating technician: Company name and emergency line.
  • Electrician or Handyperson: Contact details.
  • Landlord or Property Manager (if renting): 24-hour maintenance number.
  • Trusted Neighbor with a Spare Key: Name, address, and mobile number.

2. Water and Utility Locations

Plumbing failures and pipe bursts account for a large portion of property damage during absences.

  • Main Water Shutoff: Describe the exact location clearly (for example: "In the basement, on the street-facing wall, behind the wooden access panel; turn the yellow quarter-turn valve perpendicular to the pipe").
  • Electrical Panel: Location (for example: "Garage west wall, labeled circuit breakers").
  • Thermostat Guidance: Note the set temperature. In cold weather, setting the thermostat to a reasonable baseline (such as 55°F / 13°C or above) helps reduce the risk of freezing interior pipes.

3. Mail and Deliveries

Overflowing mailboxes and packages left on a porch signal that a home is unoccupied.

  • Mailbox location and key: Note where the key is kept if your mailbox is locked.
  • Where to place collected mail: Specify a designated spot inside the door.
  • USPS Hold Mail: If you placed an official Hold Mail request with the Postal Service (available for 3 to 30 days), note the scheduled end date so your caretaker knows when regular delivery resumes.

4. Trash and Recycling Schedule

  • Collection day: Day of the week for trash and recycling.
  • Bin placement: Where bins go on the curb, and when to roll them back in so empty bins do not sit on the street for days.

5. Plants and Garden (If Applicable)

Keep watering instructions basic. Note which plants need water, roughly how often, and where the watering can is located.

What never to put on paper

  • Alarm system codes: Do not write security alarm disarm codes, master passcodes, or gate PINs on paper left in the house. If your alarm system supports temporary guest codes, create a dedicated guest code in your alarm provider's app or keypad settings that you can revoke when you return. If not, disarm remotely or share the code verbally.
  • Wi-Fi router admin passwords or banking details.
  • Hidden key locations outside the home: If someone needs access, hand them the key directly or use a lockbox. Do not document an outdoor hiding spot in writing.

A sample one-page format

You can copy and print this simple layout:

=====================================================
HOME HANDOFF SHEET
=====================================================
Dates Away: _________________ to _________________
Our Cell Phones: ___________________________________

1. EMERGENCY CONTACTS
   - Heating / AC: [Company Name & Phone]
   - Plumber: [Name & Phone]
   - Landlord / Super: [Phone]
   - Close Neighbor: [Name & Phone]

2. SHUTOFFS & UTILITIES
   - Main Water Shutoff: [Exact location]
   - Circuit Breaker: [Location]
   - Thermostat: Set to [XX]°F; please leave on [Heat/Cool].

3. MAIL & TRASH
   - Mail: Please collect and leave on the kitchen table.
   - Trash Day: [Day of week] morning; Bins go [Location].

4. ROUTINE CHECKS
   - Quick walk through all rooms (check ceilings/floors for leaks).
   - Confirm all exterior doors and windows remain latched.

Thank you for checking in on our home!
=====================================================

Away Mode has a short checklist covering home preparation and trip logistics before you depart.

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Sources and official references

  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Protect Your Property from Water Damage and Freezing Pipes (fema.gov).
  • Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), Freezing Pipes Prevention and Maintenance Guidelines (ibhs.org).
  • United States Postal Service (USPS), USPS Hold Mail Guidelines and Timelines (usps.com/manage/hold-mail.htm).