How Often Should Someone Check Your Home While You're Traveling?
Property · 4 min read
It is one of the most common questions we hear from clients heading out of town, whether for a two-week vacation or a second home in North Georgia that sits empty most of the month: how often does someone actually need to check the house?
The honest answer is that it depends on a few factors, but there are clear guidelines that apply to most homes in Milton and the surrounding mountain areas.
General guidance for a primary residence
For a home you are away from for one to two weeks, a mid-trip check is usually enough, assuming the home has a working alarm system and no major systems under strain. Longer trips or extreme weather call for more frequent visits.
Second homes and vacant properties
Insurance policies for vacant or second homes often require weekly checks to keep coverage valid, and for good reason. Small leaks, HVAC failures, and pest issues all get significantly worse the longer they go unnoticed.
When to increase the frequency
- During winter storms or hard freezes, when pipes are at risk
- During heavy rain events, when roof and basement leaks are more likely
- After any storm with high winds, to check for exterior damage
- When a home is newly vacant and systems have not yet been tested unattended
What a good check actually includes
A check-in should be more than a drive-by. It should include a walkthrough of the interior, a look at major systems like HVAC and water heaters, a check of exterior doors and windows, and a look around the grounds for anything out of place.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a security camera enough on its own?
- Cameras help with security but will not catch a slow leak, a failed HVAC unit, or a pest issue. A physical check catches what cameras cannot.
- What is the minimum frequency you recommend for second homes?
- Weekly, at minimum, and more often during extreme weather or the first few months after a property becomes vacant.
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Hand & Home provides household, property, and vacation rental concierge services in Milton, Georgia and throughout North Atlanta.