Home Watch Services in Ottawa

Rates:

• reasonable rates per visit, starting at $30 + HST (depends on your location). No mileage charges!

• contact us for detailed pricing information to meet your requirements

• we will visit your home as often as you'd like and follow a checklist of services that we agree on together

• regular follow up status e-mails are sent and a record log of visits with time stamped photograph

Home Watch Areas Covered:

• West end Ottawa, Nepean, Kanata, Stittsville, Carp and Barrhaven.

Your Home Insurance:

• Usually regular visits must be done to vacant homes in order to satisfy your home insurance requirements

• We recommend you check with your insurance company to see what the requirements are when are away from home (some require every 48, 72 hours or once per qeek.)

• Check the following link http://www.myinsuranceshopper.ca/AwayFromHome.aspx

• Learn the difference between a vacant home and unoccupied home

Prepare Your Home Before You Leave

Below are some suggestions of things you should consider before leaving your home for an extended period to reduce the risk of problems:

• Cancel or put on hold your cable service and phone until you come back to save on monthly bills.

• Turn your water off to your home.

• Drain pipes and toilets. Add non-toxic anti-freeze in the winter months.

• Turn off the hot water tank. (save energy)

• Install light timers inside the home in several rooms.

• Use timers for exterior lights (don't leave on 24/7).

• Winterize your exterior hose bibs. (as required by the season)

• Secure any outside shed, garage, or crawl space to keep out unwanted guests.

• Keep tools like ladders locked up to avoid helping thieves break in,

• Winterize your vehicles. (as required by the season)

• Store any grass seed, bird seed, or pet food in metal containers with tight fitting lids.

• Clean the kitchen and clear the pantry and cupboards of food in packaging that isn't pest proof.

• Seal gaps and holes in the home's exterior that provide mice easy access into your home.

• Allow dishwasher and front loading washing machine to completely dry out before latching doors closed.

• Remove window AC units, turn the power off to AC units and cover. (as required by the season)

• Set your programmable thermostat to save energy

• Have eaves cleaned and leaves racked.

• Arrange for snow plowing and grass cutting as required

• Close blinds and draperies (especially on the first floor).

• Keep valuables – computers and TVs for example – out of sight through windows.

• Check all window and door locks.

• Put an old broom handle or 3/4-inch-round dowel in the track of the sliding glass door and windows.

• Stop mail, newspaper and subscription delivery.

• Contact your insurance company and advise them that your home will be vacant. They can advise you about your coverage.

• Check with you vehicle insurance company if you are planning to drive outside of Canada to ensure you have enough coverage.

• If you have an outdoor irrigation system, winterize it (as required by the season).

• Let the neighbours know that you have hired the services of a Home Watch company as they will see a different vehicle coming and going from your home.

• Do you have your out of country travel health insurance

• Check that your passport does not expire while you are away.

• Where possible, lock up valuables - in a safe if you have one - or put smaller items such as jewelry and important documents in a bank deposit box

And don’t rely on neighbours to keep a watch on your house. Neighbours just aren't vested in the security of your home, and even the most watchful neighbor is no substitute for a professional home watch service (such as ib42 Ottawa Home Watch).

Tips For Ottawa Snowbirds

Here is some information for snowbirds.

Visit the Canadian Snowbird Association for some information about travel insurance, currency exchange, tax forms and more. See example below:

• Canadians can stay (at the discretion of U.S. authorities) in the U.S. for no more than 182 days in a 12 month period without a special exemption. This is a U.S. law.

• 8840 form or Closer Connection Form – Canadian residents who winter in the United States are technically subject to U.S. federal income tax if they meet or exceed a specific number of days in the U.S. in any one year

• If you are stopped by a state trooper they may ask for your proof of insurance on your vehicle. Check with your insurance company for your proof of insurance.

More Interesting articles for snowbird travelers:

• Avoiding the Snowbirds’ trap:

• What snowbirds need to know about travel insurance:

• U.S. law could be a Snowbird tax timebomb:

• Travelling Outside Canada - OHIP Information:

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