How to secure your student house over Christmas break

As term ends and campus quiets down, most students can’t wait to head home for a well-earned break. But before you close the door behind you, it’s worth taking a little time to make sure your student house is secure. With many student areas empty over the holidays, it’s an easy target for opportunistic theft — or even unexpected issues like burst pipes or power failures.

Here’s how to keep your student accommodation safe, save energy, and avoid coming back to any nasty surprises in January.

Read our steps below or skip to the interactive checklist at the end.

1. Do a full security sweep before you go

Start your holiday prep by doing a full walkthrough of your home — ideally with your housemates — and check every door, window, and possible entry point.

• Lock all doors and windows — including bathroom and attic windows that are often forgotten.
• Test your locks to make sure they actually catch properly and don’t feel loose.
• Close curtains or blinds, especially in ground-floor rooms.
• If your property has an alarm system, make sure everyone knows how to set it correctly before leaving.
• Don’t leave spare keys under doormats or in plant pots — burglars know these spots.

If you spot any problems (like broken locks or a faulty alarm), tell your landlord or letting agent straight away. Under the terms of most tenancy agreements, they’re responsible for keeping the property safe and secure — but they can only act if you flag it before you leave.

2. Avoid making your absence obvious

It might be tempting to share your festive travel plans or airport snaps, but be careful about what you post online. Social media updates can unintentionally advertise that your student house is empty — especially if you tag your location or post stories showing packed suitcases.

A few simple ways to stay discreet:

• Wait until you’re back home to post holiday photos.
• Don’t mention exactly how long you’ll be away.
• If you live in a big student area, ask a friend or neighbour who’s staying nearby to keep an eye on the house.
• If you have a good relationship with your landlord, you could let them know the house will be unoccupied so they can check for any maintenance issues during that time.

If you’re staying behind in your student city, this is also a great time to do the opposite — reassure housemates that you’ll be around, keep lights on in the evenings, and collect any post to avoid a pile-up by the door.

3. Switch off, unplug, and save energy

Leaving things running while you’re away can waste money and pose a risk. Before heading home, unplug anything that doesn’t need to stay on:

• Kettles, toasters, and microwaves
• TVs, speakers, and consoles
• Phone or laptop chargers
• Fairy lights or decorative lamps
• Unplugging protects your devices from power surges and helps prevent electrical fires. It’s also a good chance to defrost your fridge and freezer, wipe out any shelves, and leave the door open slightly to prevent mould.

If you live in an older or colder property, you might want to leave your heating on low (around 10–12°C) or set it to come on occasionally. This can help stop pipes from freezing or bursting, which is one of the most common winter issues in student homes.

4. Hide or remove your valuables

Most burglaries are opportunistic — meaning thieves act when they spot something valuable through a window.Before you leave, take a few minutes to tidy up and move expensive items out of sight.

• Keep laptops, cameras, and consoles in drawers or wardrobes rather than on desks.
• If you have small valuables like jewellery, store them in a locked box or safe.
• Back up your devices so your files are protected even if something happens.

If you’re heading home by car, it’s worth taking high-value items with you. A few extra minutes of packing can save a lot of stress later.

5. Check your contents insurance

Many students assume their belongings are automatically insured — but that’s not always the case.If you’re living in university halls, you might have basic contents cover included through providers like Endsleigh. However, in private student housing, you’ll usually need to buy your own policy.

Before leaving for Christmas, check:

• Does your insurance cover unoccupied periods (e.g. if you’re away for more than 14 or 30 days)?
• Do you need to inform your provider that you’re leaving the property empty?
• Are shared areas like kitchens or lounges covered, or just your bedroom?

It’s also worth doing a quick photo inventory of your valuables — take pictures of laptops, bikes, or anything expensive, along with receipts or serial numbers. This makes the claims process easier if anything does go wrong.

6. Coordinate with your housemates

One of the simplest ways to avoid problems is to stay organised as a group.

Create a shared message or checklist before everyone starts leaving — something like:

• All windows locked
• Bins emptied
• Fridge cleared
• Appliances unplugged
• Heating set to low
• Keys taken

If one or two housemates are staying behind, make sure they know who to contact in an emergency. Likewise, if everyone’s away, keep your landlord’s number and local emergency contacts saved somewhere accessible in case something happens while you’re gone.

7. Secure the outside of your property

Security isn’t just about what’s inside. Many students overlook gardens, side gates, or sheds, which can be easy entry points for thieves.

• Lock garden gates and sheds.
• Bring bikes, scooters, or outdoor furniture indoors if possible.
• Move bins away from fences or walls — burglars sometimes use them to climb over.
• If you have an outdoor security light, check that it’s working properly.

Also, if your house is in a student-heavy area like Selly Oak in Birmingham or Headingley in Leeds, you may find the local council or neighbourhood watch team issues extra safety advice around the holidays. It’s worth checking your local uni or student union pages for updates.

8. Think about maintenance and weatherproofing

Winter can bring unexpected maintenance issues — and you don’t want to return to leaks, damp, or mould.

• Make sure your heating timer works properly and leave it on a low schedule if the forecast is cold.
• Check for drafts or small leaks around windows and taps.
• Run a quick check on your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detector — they should have working batteries and display a solid green light.

If you’ve noticed any issues during term, now’s the time to report them to your landlord. Even if it feels minor (like a dripping tap), it’s better to raise it before you go rather than risk bigger problems later.

9. Returning after Christmas: things to check

When you get back in January, do a quick check before settling back in:

• Turn on the heating and make sure everything works as normal.
• Check taps, pipes, and ceilings for leaks or damp spots.
• Open windows for an hour to let in fresh air.
• Plug things back in and test the fire alarms again.

If you notice anything wrong — like broken windows, damaged locks, or signs of a break-in — contact the police (for crime), then your landlord or letting agent, and finally your insurance provider. Take photos of any damage before cleaning or moving items.

What to do if something happens while you’re away

If you come back to find a break-in, burst pipe, or other damage.

1. Contact the police or relevant emergency service first.
2. Let your landlord or letting agent know immediately
3. Take photos of any damage or missing items for your insurance claim.
4. Don’t enter the property if it looks unsafe.

Securing your house before heading home for Christmas might feel like a chore, but it’s one of the easiest ways to protect your belongings and your peace of mind. A quick sweep of locks, appliances, and valuables can prevent costly damage or theft, while good communication with housemates and landlords keeps everyone on the same page. Whether you’re spending the break with family or travelling abroad, a little preparation now means you can truly relax and enjoy the holidays — knowing your student home will be safe and ready for your return in January.