How did you lease if your landlord is not in town? Who showed you the place? Agent? Get the agent to do it. My landlord is in the US so everything is done by the agent including repairs.
there are costs involved in opening and maintaining these accounts. Even if they lie dormant for years because the tourist did not return, they will still incur a cost for the bank. Does not make business sense for the bank especially if it has a minimal amount in the account.