How often should I have my second home fully inspected?

If your home in Denia or the surrounding area stays closed for months, regular inspections help prevent damp, pests, breakdowns, and reduce intrusion risks. In this guide you’ll see how often to check it, what to review on each visit, and when it makes sense to delegate to a professional service.

Owning a second home in places like Denia, Ondara, Vergel, La Xara or Las Marinas is a privilege… but also a responsibility. When a property remains closed for long periods, “silent” issues can appear: damp, pests, appliance failures, leaks, or even vulnerable access points.

Proper planning of regular inspections prevents most of these problems and significantly reduces unexpected costs. At Edelweiss Homeservice we carry out visits with photo reports and follow-up, tailored to the season and the characteristics of each home. We work in Denia, Ondara, Vergel, La Xara, Las Marinas, La Sella, Pedreguer, La Pedrera, Jesús Pobre and Els Poblets.

Ideal frequency depending on usage and season

Not every home needs the same inspection rhythm. It depends on how long it stays empty, its location, and whether it’s rented out or not.

Home closed for more than 2–3 weeks

For homes that stay unused for more than 2–3 weeks, we recommend a weekly or biweekly check to catch early:

• Leaks and damp.
• Windows or shutters not properly closed.
• Attempted intrusion or vulnerable access points.

This is especially advisable in urbanisations around La Sella, Jesús Pobre or Pedreguer.

Intermittent use (weekends or short breaks)

If you use it on some weekends or holiday breaks, a monthly inspection is usually enough, adding a pre-arrival visit—especially for properties in areas like Las Marinas or Els Poblets.

High season and after storms

After heavy rain or strong winds, it’s wise to add an extra inspection, especially if you have a garden, a pool, or mature trees in areas like La Xara, La Pedrera or Vergel.

Warning signs that mean you should inspect sooner

Even with a set schedule, certain signs indicate your property should be checked as soon as possible.

Damp and leaks

A mouldy smell on entry, stains on ceilings or skirting boards, bubbling paint, or salt deposits on walls are clear indicators that water is getting in.

Pests and insect activity

Sawdust-like debris, rodent droppings, ants, timber damage, or activity in storage rooms and garages may indicate an early infestation. Outdoors, pest control in gardens is key to stopping the problem before it reaches the interior.

Utilities and systems

Tripped breakers, dripping taps or traps, toilets that don’t stop filling, boiler error codes, or an A/C unit that won’t respond are warnings you shouldn’t ignore.

Locks and access points

Stiff locks, misaligned windows, jammed shutters, or signs of tampering on doors and entrances require immediate attention.

Quick checklist for your visit (10–15 minutes)

If you’re checking the home yourself, this quick checklist helps you cover the essentials:

• Doors, windows and locks: Open/close, light lubrication, check for play or misalignment.
• Electricity: Panel, RCDs/breakers, lights in each room.
• Plumbing: Run taps briefly, check traps and look for leaks.
• Indoor climate: Ventilate for 15–20 minutes; check your dehumidifier if you use one.
• Appliances: Quick test of fridge, washing machine and dishwasher.
• Garden and pool: Check edges, drains, water level and skimmers.
• Pests: Inspect corners, wood, textiles and suspended ceilings.
• Record: Take photos and quick notes to compare each visit.

What a professional checks—and why it’s worth it

A specialist focuses on areas that are often missed in a quick visit:

• Full checks of electricity, plumbing, access points and appliances.
• Early detection of damp, leaks or pests, with immediate action when needed.
• Reports with photos or video sent via WhatsApp or email.
• Extra coordination if the home needs cleaning, gardening or pool maintenance before you arrive.

The goal is not only to detect issues, but to act early so they don’t turn into costly repairs—or a nasty surprise when you arrive.

The cost of not doing it: The “price” of inaction

In many cases, a regular inspection costs less than a single repair. For example:

• Undetected leak: Mould, damaged paintwork, and leak repair.
• Early-stage pest issue: Damage to wood and textiles + repeated treatments.
• Boiler or A/C unused for months: Failure due to inactivity and urgent recommissioning.
• Vulnerable access points: Real intrusion risk and related costs.

A biweekly or monthly visit is often cheaper than fixing one of these problems—and it provides ongoing peace of mind, especially if you don’t live in Denia, Ondara or Vergel.

Intrusion and squatting: Practical prevention for unattended homes

In areas like Denia, La Xara, Las Marinas, Pedreguer or Els Poblets, empty properties can attract unwanted access. Combining regular inspections + professional key holding is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk.

Signs that require immediate action

• Windows or shutters left open or not fully closed.
• Marked or forced locks.
• Noises or movement reported by neighbours.
• Lost keys after rentals or works.

Recommended preventive measures

• Inspections on a variable pattern and immediate alerts if something looks wrong.
• Professional key holding (never hide keys outdoors).
• Periodic checks of cylinders, locks, windows and shutters.
• Presence simulation (timers, moving shutters).
• Controlled holiday-rental handovers—no hidden keys and no unsafe lockboxes.

What we do if we detect an attempted intrusion

• Immediate notification to the owner with photos or video.
• Lock cylinder replacement or reinforcement of access points.
• Coordination with local suppliers/technicians.
• Documented report for insurance purposes.

Extra benefit of key holding

Full traceability: Every key handover and return is logged. This reduces risk, makes technician coordination easier, and avoids problems during long absences.

Recommended frequencies by owner profile

• Away most of the year (coastal developments, Las Marinas and nearby): Weekly or biweekly inspection.
• Seasonal use (La Sella, Jesús Pobre): Weekly, biweekly or monthly + a pre-arrival visit.
• Holiday rentals (Els Poblets, Pedreguer): Between stays + weekly/biweekly/monthly during low months + key holding and check-in/out management.

How to choose your inspection plan

Set the right frequency

Consider seasonality, building materials, orientation, presence of a garden or pool, and how long the home stays empty. In many cases, combining regular inspections with comprehensive home maintenance is the most efficient option.

Define what’s included in each visit

You can combine access checks, electricity, plumbing, ventilation, appliances, garden/pool, photos and a signed checklist—so you always have the same level of control.

Demand reports and traceability

Photo reports let you make decisions remotely and spot trends: Areas that repeatedly get damp, elements that fail often, etc.

Service areas and local adaptation

We work in Denia, Ondara, Vergel, La Xara, Las Marinas, La Sella, Pedreguer, La Pedrera, Jesús Pobre and Els Poblets, adapting the frequency to the climate, exposure, development characteristics and how the property is used.

Shall we talk? Request your personalised inspection plan

Want to avoid surprises and always arrive to a perfect home? We design a tailored Regular Inspections plan that can be integrated into comprehensive home maintenance: frequency, checklist and customised reports for your property in Denia and the surrounding area.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I inspect if the house stays closed all winter?

It depends on the area, but in general we recommend a weekly or biweekly visit if it stays closed for months. With occasional use, a monthly inspection may be enough, adjusted to the property’s history.

Will I receive a photo report after every visit?

Yes—after each inspection we send a detailed report with photos and notes, so you know exactly what condition your home is in.

Can it be combined with gardening, pool care or cleaning?

Yes. We offer integrated plans so you arrive and only have to enjoy: we can coordinate cleaning services, garden maintenance and pool maintenance before you arrive.