Guides
What to check in a house left empty for months
An empty house doesn't deteriorate overnight: it's small signs that need spotting in time. Here's what to look for.
Onekis · Published on September 28, 2026 · 5 min read
Before you leave: close the house properly
A good visit starts with a good departure. Before a long absence, a few simple steps limit the risks.
- Turn off the water if nobody visits regularly — or leave it on if visits and irrigation are planned
- Empty and unplug what doesn't need to run; leave minimal ventilation
- Close shutters and windows, check the locks
- Leave a set of keys and instructions with whoever will visit
Inside
Damp is the main enemy of a closed home, especially by the sea. On every visit, air the rooms, look at walls, ceilings and corners, and notice any musty smell. A stain on the ceiling below a bathroom or a mark at the foot of a wall can point to a slow leak.
- Damp, mould, blistering paint
- Under sinks, around toilets, the water heater and appliances
- Windows and seals after rain
- Fridge, freezer and fuse box (tripped circuits)
Outside
The outside quickly gives away an empty house. A tended garden, a working gate and collected mail make it look lived-in. After heavy rain, check terraces, drains and gutters; in summer, irrigation and the pool.
Photograph, date, compare
Above all, keep a record of every visit. Photos taken from the same spots show whether a crack is widening or a damp patch spreading, so you can act before the problem gets expensive. That's the idea behind Onekis visit reports: the same checklist every time, dated photos and a proposed solution if a visible anomaly is found.
