If you have any possessions, it’s always nice if they’re still around when you return. Keeping plants green and pets alive is another trick, one you’ll certainly have to face. This chapter will help with the arrangements you’ll need to make before you can head out.
The two best ways are renting to a trusted friend, who can take care of things for you while you’re away, or to a company, which will probably be willing to pay more, and provide a guarantee of payments and the safe keeping of your property (of course, not everyone has a flat that would appeal to an executive).
To avoid the hassles of dealing with tenants (or Airbnb guests), you may wish to work out an arrangement with an estate agent or property manager, who will not only lease your place, but also collect the rent and handle any problems that may arise. This service isn’t cheap, but if you’re less worried about turning a profit than having to deal with day-to-day problems, this could be the way to go.
Otherwise, you can take out an ad or put up a posting on Craigslist. Ask around before ringing your favourite newspaper. Often there are much cheaper alternative publications/sites that attract a much better-targeted group.
If you do rent out your place to previously unknown tenants, it’s worth taking the following precautions:
Pay everything ahead (or with direct debits via your bank) if you can (health insurance, rent, utilities and so on). Most banks allow you to monitor your funds and make payments from any internet connection. If you’re good at keeping track of such things, it’s a great way to go. Don’t forget to call your credit-card issuer before your trip. Tell them when and where you’re going so they don’t put a stop on your credit card when they see a sudden burst of expenses overseas. While you’ve got them on the phone, ask for a larger line of credit. You may need to buy a ticket or get a hotel room in an emergency (sickness, hurricane coming, riot, etc) when you’ve already put a month’s worth of expenses on the card.
Don’t just hand over your plants to a good friend, unless you happen to know they have an excellent track record with their own. It’s more important to find someone who’s good with plants. Just about anyone with green fingers will be happy to find some space for your horticultural assets, and possibly take better care of them than you do.
It’s not always easy to find someone who will love your pet as much as you do. Your best bet is going to be leaving your canine, cat or fish with a friend or family member, which may involve some carefully chosen endearment opportunities. Think of your pet’s most attractive qualities and try to coordinate those with visits from prospective pet guardians. If you have a dog which can catch a frisbee, play catch with the friend who would find that most appealing. If the pet is cute and friendly and successfully helps you line up dates, let your desperate friend see this in action. If it cuddles up on your bed and keeps you warm, ring your friends with poor heating. If it’s sweet, but looks menacing, perhaps some security-minded person living alone might find this useful.