How to manage a second home from a distance

Managing a second home from a distance isn't just about keeping it maintained. It's above all about knowing, at any time, what state it's in. Most unpleasant surprises — a leak discovered three weeks too late, a scorched garden, an overflowing letterbox — come from a lack of information rather than a lack of upkeep.

So before looking for contractors, ask yourself one simple question: who visits my home, how often, and how am I told what they found?

The right frequency depends on how long the home stays empty, the season and the equipment. An apartment closed for several months deserves at least one visit a month. A house with a garden, and even more so a villa with a pool, needs closer oversight, especially in summer and after heavy rain.

What matters is regularity: a scheduled, documented visit is worth more than an improvised one when someone "has time".

A good report is dated, always follows the same checklist and includes photos. It lets you compare one visit with the next and spot changes: a damp patch that's spreading, a shutter that no longer closes properly.

The hardest part, from afar, is getting a tradesperson in: getting a quote, letting them in, checking the work is done. Set a clear rule with whoever represents you: what they can commit to alone in an emergency, and what must always be submitted to you with photos and a quote.

Keep an up-to-date list of your usual contractors (plumber, electrician, pool technician, gardener) and useful documents: maintenance contracts, manuals, the building manager's details.

Finally, think about your arrival: a house that's been aired, at the right temperature, with beds made and a stocked fridge makes all the difference after a journey. Let whoever looks after your home know your dates as soon as possible, especially in high season.

That's exactly what Onekis offers on the French Riviera: documented visits, one point of contact for works, and preparation before every stay.