Owning a home in Athens while living abroad is in itself a privilege. Many homeowners who live abroad are unaware of the many risks involved, assuming that as long as the property is locked up, clean and unused until their return, everything will be in order.

Unfortunately many properties that are left unused for periods of time deteriorate slowly over time. Initially seemingly minor problems can develop and spread rapidly when no one is around to prevent them from getting worse. The cost of repair to put right problems found on return can be substantial and frequently unpredictable.

Here we explain in what way a home in Athens that is left empty for a long time can deteriorate. We will explain why local conditions have to be taken into account and how frequent monitoring of a home abroad can prevent damage.

Why Empty Homes in Athens Are Especially Vulnerable

Athens has its unique circumstances affecting empty properties which can cause them damage.

Athens is a unique city with its own specific climate, architecture and structure. Many of the homes in Athens are located in older properties, the plumbing is sometimes shared and seasonal changes occur over the course of the year. All of these factors can impact a home in different ways and must be taken into account by owners who are away for long periods.

When the owner is away from home, the risks increase.

Plumbing Issues Often Go Unnoticed

Plumbing failure is one of the more common and most costly problems encountered with vacant homes.

Minor leaks such as a dripping tap, overflow from a washing machine, or even a leak behind a bath can cause considerable damage while a property is unoccupied. A leak that might be detected in a short space of time when someone is in residence can drip away unnoticed for weeks on end when a property is empty.

Much more serious though, is the potential for a leak to cause significant problems in neighboring apartments in buildings of multiple ownership, and to incur huge costs and endless disputes between parties.

In the buildings in Athens in which most of the apartments are located up and down vertically shared plumbing stacks can quickly spread any minor problem.

Stagnant Water Creates Hidden Risks

When a home is unused, water can stand in the pipes, sinks, toilets and drains.

Until the property is reoccupied, water can remain stagnant in the pipes for months, developing into unpleasant smells, dried-out plumbing fixtures and in extreme cases even forming into bacteria. The water in your toilets and drains needs to be flushed on a regular basis to prevent formation of scale or even blockages in your pipes.

They don’t usually reveal themselves right away but as you will soon realize, it is quite obvious as soon as you reenter your property.

Humidity and Mold Are Common Problems

Athens has a limited rainfall season, which doesn’t extend throughout the year; high humidity levels are present throughout the region, affecting buildings mostly during the off-season periods and especially those of coastal regions and old structures.

Since Athens doesn’t get heavy rainfall for the most part of the year, humidity is a huge issue for houses that stay closed for long periods of time. If a house is left closed for months without being aired, humidity can form and cause all sorts of problems.

  • Mold growth behind furniture or inside wardrobes
  • Damp walls and ceilings
  • Musty odours that are difficult to remove

This can develop over months, often before owners become aware of a problem. However, with regular inspections for signs of damp and mold, problems can be detected early, before significant remediation is required.

However, there are simple measures to prevent humidity and mold, like regular airing and checking of a property for mold.

Electrical and Appliance Issues Can Develop

Electrical systems and household appliances are generally designed to be in use all the time and can suffer damage when left unused for extended periods.

Common issues include:

  • Tripped circuit breakers
  • Power surges affecting appliances
  • Malfunctioning water heaters
  • Refrigerators or freezers left unplugged or unused

Appliances can fail in the period between the owner’s departure and return, often without any trace that something has gone wrong.

Security Risks Increase Over Time

The empty home is often noticed by neighbors and passers-by in greater detail than the owner would care for.

Empty homes are noticeable too: their absence of lights, presence of closed shutters for long periods, and piles of unopened mail sending out a message to would-be burglars of an unoccupied property.

The human presence of a home watch service does not constitute a security service, but it does serve to maintain the appearance of the property being looked after by someone who is alive and kicking. This in itself will go a long way to deterring people who might otherwise be tempted to investigate further.

Insurance Complications Are Common

Many homeowners have no idea that their home insurance has clauses that relate to the occupancy status of their property.

Insurers can also interpret long periods of empty occupation as meaning that a home is unoccupied for extended periods and this can have implications for the terms and conditions of a policy and how a claim is settled after an incident.

  • Reduce coverage
  • Deny claims
  • Require proof of regular checks

After an incident the insurance company can ask a number of detailed questions and it can be difficult to prove that reasonable care was taken to the property if there is no written evidence of regular checks being made and of the general condition of the property.

This is especially critical when the owner is abroad and will not be able to provide confirmation of having taken reasonable care.

Small Issues Become Expensive Problems

It is often the accumulation of small problems that turns into one big and expensive repair.

  • A slow leak becomes structural damage.
  • Humidity becomes mold remediation.
  • A tripped breaker becomes appliance replacement.
  • Neglected wear becomes visible deterioration.

Each issue is manageable by itself but once a number of issues have occurred it becomes expensive to put them right.

Why Friends and Family Are Not a Long-Term Solution

Many owners rely initially on friends and family members to keep an eye on their home while they are overseas.

While well-intentioned, this approach has limitations:

  • Visits are irregular or forgotten
  • Issues are noticed but not followed up
  • No one takes full responsibility
  • Reporting is informal or incomplete

They may provide temporary solutions to emerging problems but with time expectations become confused and problems will inevitably find their way through the cracks. Such a valuable property requires consistent and careful attention.

The Role of Regular Home Watch Visits

Home Watch is focused on prevention of damage. It also builds a comprehensive history of all observations at your property over time.

Early identification of problems before they become bigger ones, and documenting them to be able to deal with them faster.

Typical home watch visits in Athens may include:

  • Visual inspections for leaks or damage
  • Airing the property
  • Flushing taps and toilets
  • Checking doors, windows, and balconies
  • Identifying early signs of humidity or mold
  • Providing photo reports after each visit

The goal is not surveillance, but responsible oversight.

Why Athens-Specific Knowledge Matters

The vast array of properties for sale in Athens are mostly varying in terms of the year they were built and in how they are laid out. Furthermore, the quality of construction differs greatly.

While there are new buildings made of high quality materials springing up in Athens, many of the properties in the city are old, and were built a long time ago with different building materials and methods. Understanding the differences between these types of properties is key to effectively inspecting them for damage.

Local knowledge is used to determine which common issues may occur and whether they are seasonal. Immediate attention is given to potential problems that may arise before they become serious.

The Peace of Mind Factor

For overseas homeowners, regular checks of their property in Athens can be a huge comfort.

The most important benefit for owners who live abroad is the peace of mind they have knowing that someone accountable is visiting their property and reporting on the condition.

A Preventive Approach Is Always Cheaper

Almost every major property issue starts small.

Taking a proactive approach to protecting your property can save you a lot of money in the long run compared to facing unexpected expenses. Preventative maintenance visits can help identify potential problems before they become more serious, and even save you from having to get involved in expensive disputes with your insurance company.

Need someone to check your Athens home while you’re away?

Leaving your Athens home vacant for months does not mean nothing will happen. The fact is many small problems can develop into much larger, more costly issues before they are discovered.

Regular inspections, clear reporting and good local management are the best way to look after your Athens property if you live abroad.

Because small problems shouldn’t become expensive ones.

Professional home watch services designed for overseas owners.