Vacation Home Security: A Complete Checklist for Peace of Mind While You’re Away
When you own a vacation home, the last thing you want to worry about is the security of your property while you’re away. As you head out, ensuring your second home remains safe is crucial. From potential break-ins to weather-related damages, there are a variety of risks to consider.
In this Redfin article, we’ll walk you through a vacation home security checklist, full of practical steps to safeguard your property and give you peace of mind. Additionally, no matter if you are looking for an apartment in Chicago, a new home in Boise, or a rental home in Missoula, read on for practical tips!
Secure your vacation home
1. Install a home security system
Leaving your home unoccupied for a season could leave it more vulnerable to burglaries or vandalism. A home security system is your first line of defense when you’re away, whether it’s your vacation home or full-time residence, and will allow you to monitor your home remotely.
Tamara of Psync Labs notes, “Considering that vacation homes are investments, it’s important to actively monitor and secure them. Leaving your home unattended for extended periods makes it susceptible to burglars. Statistics show that unoccupied homes without security systems or surveillance cameras are three hundred times more likely to be broken into.
Our best recommendations to keep your home are: securing doors and windows with heavy-duty locks and/or pine dowels, installing motion-triggered exterior flood lights, using indoor nightlights (so it is not pitch black inside), and buying pan-tilt-zoom capable indoor cameras.”
Jesper Konggaard of Develco Products adds, “For vacation homes, we recommend getting smart motion sensors and entry sensors to install around the house where a burglar might come in. Motion sensors can watch over your vacation home, and if a sensor detects motion while you are away, you can get notified on your smartphone (if the device is connected via a smart home hub). The same way, entry sensors can alert you if any of your entryways (like doors and windows) are opened.”
2. Make sure you have sufficient lighting
To deter opportunists from approaching your vacation home at night, illuminate walkways, entryways, windows, and any dark corners with outdoor motion-sensor lights to startle would-be intruders. Indoor lighting is also critical in ensuring your home looks occupied from the outside as well. Simple outlet timers can help turn lamps on and off at intervals to make your vacant home looks occupied. Keep in mind that when using outlet timers indoors that you ensure it’s visible from the outside, even through curtains or shades.
3. Consider smart locks
An essential step in your vacation home checklist is ensuring all windows, especially those on ground level, and doors have secure locks. Alternatively, you may also consider installing smart keyless locks that will allow you to grant remote access to neighbors or housekeepers. These locks provide additional control, security, and convenience, and may give you better peace of mind knowing you won’t need to keep track of any keys.
4. Make your home look lived-in
The key to deterring any surprises while you’re away is to make your vacation home look as if it’s being regularly visited. As Marquise Properties states, “Vacation homeowners can safeguard their properties by installing smart security systems, reinforcing locks on doors and windows, and using timers for lights to create the appearance of occupancy. Engaging trusted neighbors to monitor the property and managing mail or deliveries can also prevent signs of vacancy.”
When away, be sure to include leaving any blinds or shades partially open in your vacation home checklist. Doing so gives the impression that your vacation home is occupied, and those passing by will see the lights through the blinds at night without being able to see fully into the house.
Lucas of Home Control recommends an alternative method. “Motorized drapery or blinds paired with a smart thermostat or smart light switch can help regulate temperatures within your property and simulate the property being occupied at night if no one is home.”
5. Protect your furniture
“When protecting a vacant vacation home, focus on preserving your interior investments through strategic fabric management,” says James Chen, store owner of Dolcewe. “Install room-darkening or blackout curtains with thermal properties to regulate indoor temperature and block 99% of UV rays, preventing sun damage to flooring and furniture. For upholstered pieces, use premium furniture covers made of breathable materials to prevent moisture accumulation while protecting against dust and debris. Additionally, consider temporarily storing area rugs in climate-controlled spaces, as this prevents uneven fading patterns and eliminates the risk of moisture becoming trapped between the rug and flooring surface.”
Assemble a team of professionals
Sometimes, you can’t do everything on your own, and that’s OK. Find out which professionals to call to get your vacation home in guest-ready condition.
6. Consider hiring a landscaping service
Untidy hedges, overgrown grass, weed-infested gardens, or even overgrown shrubbery are dead giveaways of an unoccupied home. While a lakefront home in Seattle, WA, might not need frequent upkeep compared to a beach house with a large lawn in Orlando, FL, investing in a routine landscaping service to maintain your property while you’re away will keep up the appearance of it being regularly visited. As Max Coupland, CEO of Insuranceopedia, shares, “To keep your vacation home in great shape while you’re away, regularly scheduled professional maintenance, such as landscaping or pest control, to prevent issues from escalating.”
Plus, trimming trees and shrubs around the house will prevent them from blocking views of the house and remove any hiding spots for burglars.
7. Prevent damages from happening
Preventing damages before they occur is key to maintaining a healthy home and a calm mind.
Ian Greene of FloLogic notes the importance of detecting danger before damage. He writes, “Plumbing leaks are the second leading cause of insurance claims and the risk of water damage increases significantly when a home is unoccupied. Installing a smart leak detection system like FloLogic allows you to monitor an entire property’s plumbing no matter your location. These devices monitor all water flow and automatically shut off the water supply when a leak is suspected, alerting you immediately.”
Andy Bowman of Alarm System Store adds, “Monitoring for water leaks and or unusual water usage is even more important for an unoccupied home in my professional opinion. Having the ability to adjust HVAC temperature control based on occupancy or manually from afar as needed will help reduce energy costs.”
Caitlin of Protect Your Pipes once again restates the importance of proper plumbing. “If you’re heading somewhere warm to escape the cold, don’t forget to protect your home from frozen pipes before you go. Keep your thermostat set to at least 55°F and leave cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around your pipes. Turn off inside valves for outdoor spigots and drain any remaining water from outdoor hoses. Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to check on your home during cold snaps to catch potential issues early. Visit ProtectYourPipes.org for additional tips and resources.”
8. Find help in others
Vacation home rental doesn’t have to be a solo process, you can ask for help. Evan of Golden Home Management reminds you that you, “Don’t feel like you have to do this on your own! There are services in most vacation home markets where you can have a concierge step in to be your single point of contact for anything and everything for your home while you’re away. Their services might range from just being on call to putting your home and its maintenance on complete auto-pilot for you. Just do your diligence to understand their fee structure ahead of time!”
Alleysa agrees stating, “Hire a local property manager to oversee regular maintenance, like HVAC servicing, lawn care, and pest control, and have someone test crucial home services and amenities regularly.”
Paul Speed, owner of Mango Vacation Rentals, has an important tip for hiring outside help. He says, “In our experience, the most important thing you have to do to keep your place in perfect shape while you are away is set clear expectations with your staff and/or management company. Nobody knows how to care for your house better than you so be specific. Tell them exactly what you want to happen and when you want it done. The final piece of the puzzle is to ‘inspect what you expect.’ This can be accomplished with photos of completed tasks, video walkthroughs, or regular calls. If it’s not being documented, there’s a good chance it’s not happening.”
Cory from Relax & Co. highlights the importance of check-ins when he says, “Maintaining a vacation home while you’re away is crucial for peace of mind and preventing costly issues. Have in-person house checks to monitor locks, leaks, and thermostats, along with utilizing advanced home monitoring technology. Providing 24/7 on-call staff and regular maintenance checks ensures all major household systems remain in peak condition. With proactive care, your property will be safe, well-maintained, and always ready for your next visit!”
Emphasizing the importance of proper care and management for your vacation home, Jason Smolarek, founder of Elite Lake Rentals, offers valuable advice. He states, “To ensure your vacation home is well-maintained while you’re away, partner with a local vacation rental management or home watch company. While smart devices like cameras and temperature or water sensors are valuable for remote monitoring, nothing compares to having a trusted local team that can physically inspect your property regularly and respond within minutes to handle any issues. Their ability to put eyes on your home provides unmatched peace of mind and ensures that problems are addressed promptly before they escalate. A reliable local partner is the ultimate solution for comprehensive property care and stress-free ownership.”
Getting to know your neighbors can offer another line of defense while you’re away. Instead of leaving your key in a well-known hiding spot, give a spare set to a trusted neighbor so that they have access to the home in case of emergencies. Plus, it’ll ensure that you have another set of eyes watching over your home for suspicious activity.
9. Set up a routine
For maintaining a pristine home, Mike Cutler of Smartscapes Landscape Service recommends a deep cleaning routine. He suggests, “Consider having a seasonal or annual deep cleaning of your home. This type of cleaning helps thoroughly clean often missed areas of a standard house cleaning that accumulate dust, including shower floors, decor items, electronics, baseboard trim, window sills, window coverings, and more. Most cleaning services can perform this type of service. And you’ll have a clean, dust-free home to enjoy each time you visit.”
Cheryl Nelson, founder of Prepare with Cher, shares a few to-do list items in this routine. She shares, “Clear the refrigerator, wipe down shelves, and toss perishables to avoid mold growth. No one wants to come home to a science experiment!
Take out the trash to avoid returning to unpleasant smells or pests. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink or dishwasher. Prevent mold and odors by cleaning up before you leave. Vacuum and wipe surfaces making the return more enjoyable. Treat yourself to a clean, fresh environment upon your return by having fresh sheets and towels.”
Jessica Schupack of Sparrow Estate Management sums it up best when she said, “Develop a personalized management plan: Consider your second home’s unique needs, including seasonal variations and security risks. Regularly inspect and maintain your property to catch minor issues before they escalate, including tasks like winterizing pipes and preparing HVAC systems for summer. Implement security measures such as advanced home security systems, smart home technology, and fostering relationships with neighbors to provide peace of mind while you’re away. Consider hiring a professional property management company to handle all aspects of managing your second home, allowing you to enjoy your retreat stress-free.”
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