Preventive maintenance for your holiday home: a monthly guide for owners

A holiday home that isn't permanently occupied is, paradoxically, more vulnerable than a main residence. Without anyone to notice a small leak, spot rising damp in the living room, or check the irrigation is still working, small problems become expensive ones.

Preventive maintenance is the difference between arriving at your holiday home and finding it exactly as you left it — or finding an unpleasant surprise that costs hundreds or thousands of euros to fix. In this article we explain what to check, and how often, at your property in Marina Alta.

Why preventive maintenance matters especially on the Costa Blanca

The Mediterranean climate of Marina Alta is wonderful, but it has specific characteristics that affect properties:

• High ambient humidity in autumn and winter, which encourages mould in unventilated spaces.
• Heavy rainfall (DANA storms) in September and October that can cause leaks through roofs, terraces and facades.
• Calima and Saharan dust that accumulates in filters, on exteriors and in pools.
• Hard water with high limescale content that damages plumbing, taps and appliances.
• Fast-growing Mediterranean vegetation (palms, bougainvillea, pines) that can damage structures if not pruned.

What to check every month

• Visual exterior inspection: condition of the facade, visible roof, terraces, drainpipes and guttering.
• Access check: doors, windows and shutters working correctly and with no signs of forced entry.
• Interior damp check: especially in bathrooms, under stairs and in built-in wardrobes.
• Garden condition: irrigation, visible pests, trees and palms that may need attention.
• Pool: water level, pH and chlorine, condition of the pool shell and filtration system.
• Fuse board check: confirm no circuit breaker has tripped.
• Photo report so the owner has visual evidence of the property's condition.

What to check each season

Spring (April–May): seasonal opening

• Full pool preparation: water analysis, filter cleaning, pump check.
• Air conditioning service: filter cleaning, refrigerant check, test run.
• Garden maintenance: pruning palms, orange trees and shrubs after winter.
• Irrigation system check and timer adjustment for warmer weather.
• Full deep clean of the whole property.

Summer (July–August): intensive maintenance

• Weekly or fortnightly pool treatment if in heavy use.
• More frequent irrigation due to high temperatures.
• Check awnings and shutters ahead of any storms.

Autumn (September–October): pre-winter preparation

• Roof and terrace inspection before the autumn torrential rains.
• Clean gutters and downpipes to prevent blockages.
• Close up or protect outdoor furniture.
• Winter-treat the pool or fit a cover.

Winter (November–March): seasonal close-down

• If the property won't be used, drain pipes in any areas at risk of frost.
• Check the condition of boilers and heating systems.
• Ventilate the property regularly to prevent damp build-up.
• Inspect for leaks in facades and roofs after any heavy rain.

Annual checks you shouldn't skip

• Boiler or water heater service by a qualified engineer (legally required in many regions).
• Electrical installation inspection if the property is more than 20 years old.
• Preventive pest treatment, especially in areas with palm trees (red palm weevil) or gardens.
• Roof inspection after seasons with heavy rain or strong winds.

How to manage this when you live far away

The main challenge of preventive maintenance for a holiday home is that it requires regular physical presence. If you live in London, Brussels or Amsterdam, you can't visit every month to check on your property in Jávea.

That's what a holiday home management service is for. At De Tu Casa Cuido we handle all these checks for you, send you a monthly photo report and manage any incidents through our trusted local tradespeople.

If you'd like to know more about how we can help, contact us or request your free personalised quote.