00VILLA GUIDE
Checking a villa after tenants leave
The weeks between tenancies are the easiest time to put a villa right. The house is empty, access is simple and small faults the last tenant lived with — slow drains, weak AC, running toilets, stuck gates — can be fixed before they become the next tenant’s complaints. A systematic turnaround protects the property and makes the next tenancy smoother.
01PART
Inside
Run every AC unit, tap, shower and appliance. Look for stains, mould, damaged fittings, loose handles and sticking doors. Check the board for tripped or relabelled circuits.
- Test AC, taps and appliances.
- Look for stains and mould.
- Check doors, handles and fixings.
02PART
Outside
Check the pool condition and plant, run irrigation zones, test gates and remotes, and look at outdoor lighting. Collect all remotes and keys.
- Check pool and plant.
- Run irrigation.
- Collect remotes and keys.
03PART
Before the next tenant
Fix faults, service AC, clean tanks if due and update the systems map and records. Clear old gate remote codes for security.
- Fix faults and service AC.
- Clean tanks if due.
- Clear old remote codes.
04PART
Water, damp and the systems map
Check the water meter with everything off to catch a silent leak, look for fresh damp or stains on ceilings and walls, and update the systems map and maintenance records while the villa is empty and everything is visible.
- Read the meter to catch leaks.
- Check ceilings and walls for fresh stains.
- Update the systems map and records.
05QUESTIONS
- How long should a turnaround take?
- It depends on what is found; plan time between tenancies.
- Who pays for wear?
- That depends on the tenancy terms; records help.
- Should remotes be reprogrammed?
- Yes, clearing old codes improves security.
- What do new tenants need?
- A simple guide to isolators and contacts.
- Should the water tank be cleaned between tenancies?
- If it is due, the empty period is a convenient time to do it.