Here's everything you need to do before you go

It might be tempting to just pack your bag and head home for the Winter break, but it's important to make sure you leave your space in a good state before you leave – nobody wants to come back to a messy, smelly flat! 

Whether you're the first or last leaving your flat, you have a responsibility to help keep it a nice environment to live for yourself and others. Don't know where to start? Follow our handy checklist: 

✅ Clean and tidy the flat

Your bedroom, bathroom and kitchen should all be cleaned and any clutter should be put away. If you're the first person leaving a shared flat, then make sure to do your part in helping keep the areas tidy before you go. 

Tip: Clean the communal areas as a flat, then when you use them individually just make sure to clean up your mess as you go!

✅ Clear out your fridge

Nobody wants to come back to a smelly fridge full of mouldy and out of date food and drinks. A good way to do this is to check the ingredients you have in your fridge a week or two before you leave, and plan to make meals using them. 

Tip: If you're leaving before a flatmate and some of your food is still in date, offer it to them before throwing it in the bin to avoid unnecessary waste (or donate to the Community Larder if you can). 

✅ Take out your rubbish (using the correct bins) 

Again, you don't want to come back with a full bin that's been left for a few weeks, so it's important to dispose of any rubbish. Check your bedroom bin, bathroom bin and kitchen bin before heading out. Make sure to use the correct bins for different types of waste too, so they can be disposed of properly. 

✅ Switch off

It's easy to forget to turn off a light before you leave, but it's really important to do so. Help us save energy by:

• Switching off all lights
• Switching off all electronics
• Don't leave anything on standby (laptops, TV etc.) 
• Unplug chargers, desk lamps, kettles and microwaves
• Turn your radiators down to 1 on the dial
• Report any faults or issues to the Maintenance Team

✅ Shut and lock everything

Keep your flat safe and secure by shutting all of your windows (this will also help to keep the heat in too!), and locking your doors. This is the last step before you go home, so it's important to double check that you have done this – especially if you're the last person to leave in a shared flat. 

Have a lovely Winter Break! ❄️