If you have a second home in Menorca, you’ve likely spent some time on the island enjoying a holiday. As the time comes to return home, it’s essential to prepare your vacation property for the winter; in other words, you need to close it up until your next visit. Discover the essential steps to secure your property, keep it in good condition, and ensure it’s ready for your next stay. Follow our detailed guide and close your vacation home with peace of mind!
Closing your vacation property in Menorca before heading back home is crucial to ensure that your home is in perfect condition for the next season. Here is a guide with the key steps you should follow:
1. Turn Off and Disconnect Services
- Turn off the water supply: This will prevent possible leaks and damage from frozen pipes during the winter.
- Turn off gas and electricity: Minimize fire risks and reduce unnecessary costs.
- Unplug all appliances: Protect your devices from potential power surges and save energy.
2. Home Security
- Secure doors and windows: Install high-quality locks and ensure they are all properly closed.
- Security systems: Consider installing cameras and alarms to monitor your property remotely. This is especially important nowadays due to the increase in squatters on the island (while not an alarming situation, it is something to consider).
- Notify a neighbor or trusted person: Leave an emergency contact and ask them to check on your property occasionally. It’s always good to make it seem like the house is regularly visited or inhabited.
3. Cleaning and Maintenance
- Deep clean: Make sure to clean the kitchen, bathrooms, and common areas to avoid pests.
- Empty and clean the refrigerator: Unplug it and leave the doors open to avoid bad smells and mold.
- Check perishable foods: Do not leave any food that can spoil and attract insects.
4. Moisture Protection
- Dehumidifiers: Place dehumidifiers or containers with salt in several rooms to reduce humidity. This is especially important if your home is located in the northern part of the island or has little sunlight during the winter.
- Close shutters or curtains: Protect your furniture and floors from the sun and possible storms. We recommend blackout curtains or blinds that completely block out light.
5. Garden and Pool Maintenance
- Mow the lawn and trim plants: Keep the garden in good condition to prevent uncontrolled growth.
- Pool treatment: Adjust the pH and chlorine levels and cover it if possible to avoid leaf and dirt accumulation.
- Proper watering: Water the plants well before leaving and consider automatic watering systems. If possible, have someone take care of these tasks and check the exterior regularly.
6. Final Checks
- Check appliances: Make sure they are all turned off and unplugged. It’s best to turn off the main circuit breaker.
- Verify doors and windows: Perform a final inspection to confirm everything is well closed.
- General inspection: Do a final check of the house to ensure you haven’t forgotten anything important.
7. Notification to Services
- Security company: Inform them of your absence so they can be alert to any suspicious activity.
- Utility services: Notify water, electricity, and gas companies if you plan to be away for an extended period.
8. Documentation and Contacts
- Leave your contact details: Ensure a neighbor or friend has your information and can contact you if necessary. Anything can happen, and the sooner you know about it, the better you can react.
- Important documents: Store valuable documents in a safe place.
- Remote access: If you have security cameras, make sure you can access them from your location.
9. Preparation for Your Return
- Clean bedding: Leave clean sheets and towels for a more comfortable return.
- Provisions: Leave some non-perishable provisions to make your arrival easier.
By following these steps, you can close your vacation property in Menorca efficiently and safely, ensuring it will be in perfect condition for your next visit.
f you need advice during this process or even if you want us to recommend a property management company that can take care of maintaining, protecting, and looking after your property during the winter, don’t hesitate to contact us.
And if you’re interested in discovering other articles we’ve written about holiday homes, we recommend, for example, our article on how to maximize the performance or return on your property with a tourist license. We hope you enjoy it.