Holidays/extended absence

If you are likely to be away for an extended period (more than 30 days) please let your Concierge know, and ensure that you have provided contact details or a local contact in the event of any problems arising.  This is required for insurance purposes. Please also check your own contents insurance to ensure coverage is not affected by the property remaining unoccupied for lengthy periods.  

Post

If required, please make arrangements with your concierge regarding your post and deliveries in order to prevent your mailbox from overflowing.  A key waiver is required should you wish the Concierge to place items in your apartment. 

Water supply

If you intend to be away longer than 30 days you are advised to turn off the water supply to your apartment before leaving.  The levers to turn off the hot & cold and chilled water supplies can be found in the ceiling panel immediately outside your apartment front door.  NB: you must ensure that, on your return that you turn your water supply (and trace heating - see below) back on, and run the taps and shower for at least five minutes, to flush through any water that has been standing in pipes.

Electricity consumption in empty flats

Empty apartments will still use electricity unless you take measures to minimise consumption. Having devices plugged in and in stand-by mode means there will be a constant ‘quiescent draw’ - the devices are in ready-mode, and this requires a small amount of electricity, 24/7. A draw of just 300w per hour will clock-up 7kWh of electricity consumption per day.
For lengthy periods of absence (eg, several months) it might be advisable to turn the electricity off completely using the mains switch in the electrical cabinet, or to leave some supply running (eg, fridge/freezer, modem/Skybox etc) and switch off all remaining circuit breakers to minimise the quiescent draw whereby appliances are using ‘phantom electricity’ in standby mode. The trace heating system ordinarily is keeping your hot water supply at >55C (see electricity). If temporarily switched off during an extended period of absence to avoid the risk of Legionella you must run your cold and hot water taps for at least five minutes to flush through any water that has been standing in pipes in the interim.

Other power-saving ideas include ensuring that your freezer is not left empty as it will cost more to run: stock it with bulky items such as bags of ice or water containers (leaving room for expansion), to ensure it is more than half full.

House Guests

If anyone else is likely to be using your apartment while you are away please let the Concierge know and arrange for your guests to let them know when they arrive and leave.