One week away?
Based on my experience as a fairly sensible teenager I'd say 16/17. But I did have a party one night. But being me and my friends square it wasn't a huge disaster. And we cleaned the day after.

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I first left mine at home when DS was 18 & DD 16. They really didn't fancy a seaside holiday with 4 younger brothers. There were no problems.

The next time DC house sat was when DS2 was 17. The older 2 had left home by then but DD did call back and check on her brother a couple of times. We did have family close by if there were any problems.

DS 3 is 16 now and says he would like to stay at home if we go away next summer. DH and I think he is still too young. If he doesn't come with us he can stay with one of his older brothers. It does depend on the young person and their friends!

Our three were 19, 17 and 15 when my BIL died suddenly in the Philippines and we had to drop everything and just go.
Never thought for a second that they wouldn't be alright.
They had numbers for close family if they needed help.
Neighbours knew they were there and were happy to help if needed.
We rang whenever we could.

I knew they had had a party, they asked if it was alright but we have had lots of teen parties previously and knew their friends well.

We were away for just under three weeks.
It was just before Christmas and we had horrendously long journey home with so many changes and delays.
I was dreading getting home and starting Christmas-finding decorations etc.

Got home completely knackered...............

...to find the whole of downstairs had been spring cleaned, all the Christmas decorations were up and there was a meal with candles and wine and everything on the table for us!!
The house looked like something from a fairy tale!

Wonderful suprise.

Depends on your teens.

My parents left me for long weekends from when I was fourteen. I was home alone for up to about 10 days from fifteen onwards.

I loved being home alone. Often friends would stay over. I enjoyed having the house to myself, cooking what I wanted, being in charge. I had neighbours I could rely on if needed and lots of friends nearby.

I did have boyfriends staying over and did have a party following GCSEs that resulted in a number of stains on the cream carpet and parents who wouldn't talk to me for a week! There were drugs, booze and sex. It was quite rock n roll. But, no dire consequences. Mind you, it was in the days before Facebook etc, so no random strangers appeared.

I suppose you have to decide when your DC is sensible enough - there's no set age.

My parents left me for 3 days over my 15th birthday weekend, is quite shocking looking back but my gran was round the corner checking on me and I was sensible and they trusted me.

They also left me for a week when I was 17 and gave me permission to have a BBQ party and changed their bed so that me and boyfiend (DH) could sleep in it.

Depends how sensible to teenager is and if you feel comfortable leaving them, if not then don't.

To all intents and purposes I lived on my own when I was 17, and I didn't trash anything (was in family home, bit complicated, parents and siblings were living elsewhere) I'd say I was pretty mature though (and not a big party person!) It would have to depend on the individual I think, some teenagers are more sensible than others.

if I was to ever go on holiday (never going to happen), it would be when the little buggers had left home!

17/18

but not before I had tested the waters several times by going for one night/weekend etc