October arrives, you close the door of your second home in Costa Cálida or Orihuela Costa, and you do not return until Easter or the following summer. That is six, seven, eight months in which the property is completely alone.

For many owners who live in Madrid, Bilbao, Santander, Oviedo or any other city in northern or central Spain, this is the usual routine. And for years it can seem as though nothing goes wrong. Until it does.

The Mediterranean winter is not as mild as it seems

There is a perception that the Mediterranean climate is always benign. And compared to northern Spain or central Europe, it is. But winters in Murcia and Alicante have their own threats for an empty property:

• Torrential rain: south-eastern Spain concentrates some of the most intense rainfall episodes on the Peninsula. A DANA storm can discharge in a few hours what falls elsewhere in months. If there is a deteriorated seal, a loose tile or a blocked drain, water gets in.
• Ambient humidity: even without rain, relative humidity in winter can be high, especially in coastal areas. A closed property without ventilation accumulates that moisture in walls and ceilings.
• Temperature fluctuations: days can be warm, but January and February nights can drop below 5 degrees. Those variations affect joints, seals and building materials.

The five most common risks in closed properties

1. Damp from leaks or condensation

This is the most frequent problem and the one that can cause the most damage if not detected in time. A small leak that in summer would have been a stain on the wall can, in winter, become a source of damp that affects the structure, causes mould and deteriorates finishes.

Mould, as well as damaging the property, can be a health problem when you return to occupy it.

2. Plumbing failures

Pipes that have not had water flowing through them for months can become calcified or deteriorate. Taps and valves that are not operated can seize up. And if there is a small leak that nobody detects, water may have been running — and accumulating — for weeks.

3. Electrical system failures

Electrical panels age. Residual current devices can trip due to moisture or a one-off fault, leaving the property without power. If nobody detects it, the fridge (if you left it connected) may have been off for weeks when you arrive.

4. Pests

An empty, inactive property is an attractive environment for insects and rodents, especially in rural areas or in urbanisations with gardens. Without anyone to detect it in time, a small colony can become a serious problem.

5. Security issues

The urbanisations of Costa Cálida and Orihuela Costa are very seasonal. In winter, many properties are empty for months. That makes them more vulnerable. A monthly visit that leaves signs of activity — lights on, movement, presence — is one of the best preventive measures.

Why "nothing has happened in ten years" is not a guarantee

This is the argument we hear most often: "I have been leaving the property alone in winter for years and nothing has ever gone wrong."

The problem is that risks are not distributed evenly over time. A DANA storm can happen any year. A pipe can hold for a decade and fail in the eleventh. An electrical panel can work perfectly until it stops.

And when it happens, the cost of the repair — and the distress of finding your property in poor condition — is always much greater than the cost of having prevented it.

The solution: monthly supervision for €30 per month

At Devor Home Care we offer a monthly property supervision service in Costa Cálida (Region of Murcia) and Orihuela Costa (Alicante). For €30 per month, we visit your property once a month and:

• Review the general condition: walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors.
• Check the plumbing and electrical installations.
• Ventilate the property to prevent moisture build-up.
• Inspect the exterior: garden, terrace, access points and letterbox.
• Send you a report with photos of the property's condition.

If we detect any incident, we inform you immediately and coordinate the solution with the appropriate professionals.

Peace of mind throughout the winter

You do not have to wait until you arrive in summer to discover there is a problem. You do not have to make a 500-kilometre trip every time there is a storm. You do not have to worry about whether the property is in good condition.

With Devor Home Care, you have someone you can trust in the area who looks after your property as if it were their own.

Want more information? Call us or write to us on WhatsApp at +34 657 397 468, or send us an email at [email protected].