An empty house on the Costa Blanca: risks and prevention
Most damage to second homes is not caused by one dramatic event but by time. What would be noticed the same day in a lived-in house goes unnoticed for months in an empty one — and becomes more expensive.
Damp and stale air
Closed rooms near the coast quickly develop a climate in the humid months in which textiles, mattresses and wardrobes suffer. Typical signs are musty air, patches on exterior walls and mould behind furniture standing flush against a wall.
Regular airing is the simplest countermeasure — but it needs someone on site. Equally important: do not close internal doors completely, so air can circulate.
Water: the most common expensive damage
A dripping connection means a bucket in a lived-in house and water damage across several rooms in an empty one. That is why looking under sinks, washbasins and into utility rooms belongs to every check.
Dried-out siphons are a second issue: they cause no damage but a drain smell throughout the house. Adding a little water to the drains takes seconds.
- Visual check under sinks, washbasins and in the utility room
- Refilling siphons and rarely used drains
- Documenting signs on walls and ceilings
- Coordinating a specialist company instead of improvising
Post, storms and the community
An overflowing letterbox is two problems at once: a practical one, because deadlines and official letters go unread, and a visible signal that nobody is there. We forward important letters digitally so you can decide.
After the autumn downpours, damage often shows first at gutters, drains and terraces. Notices from the owners' community or the urbanisation also reach many owners abroad too late.
Visible presence and unauthorised use
A long absence makes a house visibly unattended: a full letterbox, an untidy outdoor area, no movement. Exactly this impression can make a property more interesting for unauthorised use or squatters.
Regular visits, an emptied letterbox and a well-kept overall impression make the house look less abandoned and can therefore act as an additional deterrent. At the same time, anything unusual — opened or moved items, damaged entrances, unexpected changes — is noticed and documented much earlier.
We want to be honest about the limits: this is no guarantee against unauthorised occupation and replaces neither a security service nor legal advice. Property care ensures a house looks looked after and that changes are spotted in good time.
- Emptying the letterbox regularly — no visible sign of absence
- A tidy outdoor area and visible activity in the house
- Checking entrances, doors and windows for changes
- Documenting and reporting anything unusual immediately
Frequently asked questions about longer absences
Should I switch off water and electricity completely?
It depends on the house. Without power, alarms, cooling and sometimes irrigation stop working; without water, siphons dry out. We look at it together and agree an approach with you.
Is it enough if a neighbour looks in now and then?
For a quick look, yes. What is missing is regularity and documentation — both matter if you later want to prove or compare something.
What happens if something is noticed while I am away?
You receive photos and a short assessment, you decide on the next step, and on request we coordinate tradespeople and attend the appointment.
Can a home care service protect against squatters?
Occupation cannot be guaranteed to be prevented. Regular, visible checks can however act as a deterrent because the property does not appear permanently unattended — and anything unusual is noticed and documented much sooner.
If you are away for longer, a fixed routine is worth more than good intentions. Get in touch and we will match scope and frequency to your property.
Let's talk about your home.
Request a no-obligation consultation — by phone, email or WhatsApp.