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Home watch services for a Greek property are scheduled, documented visits while you are away. Someone checks the accessible areas inside and outside, looks for visible problems with water, power and ventilation, then sends you observations and photos so you can decide whether anything else needs doing.

This guide covers what a visit usually checks, what sits outside the service, how often visits happen and what to sort out before you hand over a key.

What does “home watch” mean for an empty property?

Home watch means someone visits your empty property on an agreed schedule, works through a checklist and tells you what they found.

The point is to catch visible changes while you’re gone. A damp patch under a window, a tripped breaker, a damaged shutter: each gives you something specific to look into.

It falls under the broader subject of property management, with an agreed scope for scheduled property checks. Some people land here after searching for “care watch home care services”, which usually refers to personal support at home. Home watch is about the building.

It’s also different from the formal home inspections done before a purchase. A technical survey assesses whatever falls within the surveyor’s remit. A routine home watch visit records what can be seen, and it repeats over time.

Who uses vacant and absentee home watch services?

Owners of empty second homes

Holiday houses, inherited family homes and flats between tenancies can sit empty for months. Vacant home watch services keep owners updated on the condition of those properties while they’re away.

The useful questions tend to be specific. Has the stain spread? Is the balcony door secure? Does the room smell damp?

Owners who live abroad

Absentee home watch services give you a contact in Greece and observations from the property when you can’t get there yourself.

KeyCare covers homes across Greece, mainland and islands included. The visit schedule and scope are agreed for each address before anything starts. If your property is in the capital, the page on home watch Athens explains the local service.

Seasonal residents and new buyers

A home can be checked before you come back. Arrival preparation is agreed separately.

If you’re completing a property purchase in Greece and leaving soon after, record the property’s condition before you go. You probably don’t know yet how its rooms, shutters and drainage behave in a different season.

For wider background on living arrangements, the GOV.UK guide to living in Greece is written for UK nationals. Your property-care agreement still needs its own clear instructions.

What do home watch services typically check?

Home watch services typically check accessible areas for visible changes, confirm agreed settings and report observations; the written checklist decides what actually happens at your property.

Ask to see that checklist before you sign up. A ground-floor apartment and a detached coastal house won’t share the same priorities.

Exterior and access

Typical points to discuss include:

• Accessible walls, shutters, gates and balconies.
• Doors and windows, including visible damage and the position they should be locked in.
• Signs of attempted entry.
• Debris or outdoor furniture moved by wind.

A visual visit has limits. Confirm which areas can be reached safely and which need a specialist.

Interior condition

The agreed rooms are checked for visible water stains, damp patches, condensation and signs of pests.

Give the visitor a starting record of marks or defects you already know about. A dated photo helps tell an old stain from a new change, especially if different people have looked after the house before.

Water and plumbing

Visible pipes, taps and the cupboards under sinks are good places to look.

Decide whether the water supply stays on or off. If you want taps run during visits, write that into the checklist and point out the relevant shutoff valves. Nobody should change a setting without clear directions first.

Electricity and appliances

Agree which appliances stay running and which power settings get checked.

If a fridge or freezer is left on, put it on the visit priorities. A visual check can spot an apparent loss of power. Diagnosing an electrical fault is a job for the right tradesperson.

Climate and ventilation

Talk through whether rooms should be aired during visits, and how windows and shutters should be left afterwards.

The instructions need to suit the building, its exposure and the weather on the day. Visible condensation, damp or sun damage can then be recorded against those priorities.

Post and deliveries

Want post collected? Ask whether that’s included in your quotation.

Parcels may need a separate access arrangement. Confirm what can be accepted, where it should go and whether any appointment means an extra visit.

The report you receive

A good report identifies the visit, records what was seen and includes photos that help explain a finding.

KeyCare’s photo reports tie property observations back to the questions agreed at the start. According to the owner’s supplied confirmation, reports go out on the day of the visit. Agree how you’ll receive them before the service begins.

One photo of the window you asked about can be worth more than a long run of general room shots.

What home watch services usually leave out

The agreement should separate scheduled observations from other work:

• Repairs and property maintenance. KeyCare lists maintenance coordination as a separate service, and permission to spend is agreed apart from permission to enter.
• Continuous security or alarm monitoring. Scheduled visits leave gaps when nobody is there.
• Overnight stays. KeyCare’s home-watch service doesn’t include resident stays by default.
• Gardening and pool care. Confirm any tasks you want, and their cost, before relying on them.
• Property insurance. Cover has to be arranged separately, and the owner should check the policy’s conditions.

Ask what happens when a visit turns up a problem. Who gets the report? Who authorises the next step, and what can be done before that authorisation comes through?

Key holding and cleaning for second homes: how they fit with home watch

Key holding and cleaning for second homes are different tasks, so each needs its own agreed scope.

With KeyCare, keyholding and authorised access follows your entry instructions: who may enter, when, and why. Being allowed in doesn’t automatically mean being allowed to spend on repairs.

KeyCare also offers end-of-tenancy cleaning for landlords and property owners. Rooms, checklist, access, timing and quotation are all agreed before work starts. Oven cleaning, carpets, upholstery and windows can be specified separately.

Arrival preparation and seasonal closure are listed as separate services. If you need cleaning between your own stays, describe what you want and get confirmation of what can be provided.

How often should home watch visits happen?

KeyCare’s owner-confirmed standard frequency is once a month; the actual schedule and scope for your address should be written into your agreement.

The building’s condition, how long it stays empty and seasonal concerns all belong in that conversation. Tell the provider about past leaks, exposed terraces, appliances left running and anywhere that needs extra attention.

Your insurer may also set conditions for an unoccupied property. Check your policy before assuming a monthly visit meets them.

Do you need an extra visit after a storm?

An extra visit can help after severe weather or a power cut; the owner confirms that KeyCare offers these within 24 hours.

Agree how to request one and how access will work. Your quotation should spell out any extra cost and the arrangements for your address.

If something looks like an immediate danger, a routine property check is no substitute for the proper emergency response or a specialist assessment.

Greek tips for homeowners before the first visit

Put together a short set of instructions someone can actually use inside the house:

1. Agree the key handover and authorised access arrangements.
2. Point out the water shutoff, electrical panel and relevant valves.
3. Note which appliances stay on and how windows and shutters should be left.
4. Explain who can authorise work and what needs your approval.
5. List any tradespeople you already use.
6. Check the conditions in your unoccupied-home insurance cover.

Add known defects and any rooms that can’t be accessed. A locked cupboard with a shutoff valve inside is something to sort out before you leave.

Searching for home watch services near me? Questions to ask first

Confirm address coverage, the visit checklist, reporting arrangements and key access before you pick a provider.

A search for “home watch services near me” can bring up providers whose real service area doesn’t match the location shown in the results.

Ask:

• Can I see the checklist proposed for my property?
• How will the report reach me?
• Who approves work when a problem is found?
• Who can access my keys?
• What insurance arrangements apply to the work?
• Which tasks and extra visits are charged separately?

For an island property, ask for a quotation that shows the extra charge. KeyCare’s owner has confirmed that an island surcharge applies, with the amount set by quotation.

Is home watch worth it?

Home watch can be worth it when you need documented observations from a property you can’t easily visit.

How much it’s worth depends on what you need checked, how clearly findings are reported and whether you’re in a position to act on them. No visit can guarantee damage won’t happen between appointments.

Read about KeyCare’s home watch service, then describe the property’s general location, type and how long you expect to be away. Mention the one concern you most want each visit to cover.

FAQ about home watch services in Greece

Does someone stay in my home?

No. KeyCare home watch is scheduled visits. Overnight house sitting and resident stays are separate arrangements and aren’t included by default. The guide to home watch vs house sitting explains the difference.

Where does KeyCare offer home watch?

KeyCare covers Greece, mainland and island homes included. The visit schedule and scope are agreed for your address before starting. Island properties carry an extra charge confirmed by quotation.

How much does KeyCare property care cost?

KeyCare advertises property care from €69 per month on its official plans and pricing page. Your written quotation confirms the tasks, visit pattern, reporting and total payable. Check VAT treatment and any island surcharge before accepting.

Related reading on home watch services

• Property Care After Buying a Home in Greece
• Home Watch & Property Care in the Cyclades

Author: Leila Haddad, engineering graduate with postgraduate training in project management

Last updated: November 2026

If you own a second home, a vacation property or a house you leave empty for part of the year, you have probably asked: how much do home watch services cost?

The honest answer is that it depends. There is no single price that fits every property, and any article that gives you one number for every home should be treated with caution. What you can do is understand what drives the price, so you can ask the right questions and compare quotes fairly.

This guide covers those factors. It does not promise a price. For the plans we offer, see our plans and pricing page.

What a home watch service actually is

A home watch is a set of regular visits to an unoccupied home by a person who checks that everything is as it should be. A typical visit might include:

• Walking the interior and exterior of the property
• Looking for signs of water leaks, pests or storm damage
• Checking doors, windows and locks
• Confirming that air conditioning and appliances are running
• Reporting what was found to the owner

The exact checklist differs from one provider to another. That is the first reason prices differ, so always ask for the checklist in writing.

The main factors that shape a home watch quote

1. How often the home is visited

Visit frequency is usually the biggest factor. A property checked once a month needs less of a provider’s time than one checked weekly or twice a week. Many owners choose a schedule based on how long the home will sit empty and how risky the season is.

When you request a quote, say how long the home will be vacant and ask what frequency the provider recommends and why.

2. The size and layout of the property

A small condo takes less time to inspect than a large house with several floors, a pool, a garage and outbuildings. Square footage, number of rooms and the amount of outdoor space all affect how long a thorough visit takes.

3. Extra features that need attention

Some features need more than a quick look:

• A swimming pool or spa
• Irrigation systems
• A boat dock or boat lift
• Guest houses or detached garages
• Generators or shutters

Ask whether these are included in the base visit or priced separately.

4. Location and travel time

Where the home sits relative to the provider’s service area can affect the price. A home in a dense neighborhood differs from one that needs a longer drive. If you are searching for home watch services in Florida, remember that the state is large and conditions vary by region, so local knowledge matters as much as price.

5. Seasonal and weather needs

In Florida, many owners are away during the summer months, which overlaps with the hurricane season. Some providers offer additional services before and after a named storm, such as securing outdoor items or doing a post-storm inspection.

Ask directly: Is storm preparation or post-storm checking part of the plan, or an add-on? How is it scheduled when many clients need it at once?

6. Extra services beyond the basic visit

Some providers offer extras that add to the cost:

• Photo or written reports after each visit
• Receiving deliveries or packages
• Meeting contractors or technicians
• Pre-arrival preparation (opening the house, turning on utilities, stocking essentials)
• Running water through taps and flushing toilets
• Changing air filters

Decide which of these matter to you. A plan that looks cheaper may leave out items you would end up paying for separately.

7. Reporting and communication

How will you hear about what was found? A short summary, a detailed report and photos are different levels of service. If you live far away, a clear report may be the main reason you hire a home watch in the first place.

Pricing models you may come across

Providers structure pricing in different ways. Common approaches include:

• A fee per visit, where you pay for each check
• A monthly plan covering a set number of visits
• Packages or tiers with different levels of service
• Add-on pricing for extra tasks

None of these is automatically better. What matters is that you understand exactly what you are paying for and what is excluded. Our own plans are described on the plans and pricing page.

Why a very low price can be a warning sign

When comparing home watch services prices, the cheapest quote is not always the best value. Before you decide, check:

• Insurance. Is the provider insured? Ask what is covered and request proof.
• Experience and references. How long have they worked in the area? Can they give references?
• Visit length and thoroughness. A very short visit may be a walk past the front door.
• Documentation. Do you get a record of each visit?
• Emergency plan. Who do they call if they find a leak or a break-in, and how quickly?

Be careful here: the goal is protecting your property, not just ticking a box.

Home watch versus other options

Some owners compare home watch to a neighbor checking in, a property manager or a smart-home monitoring system. Each has a place:

• A neighbor may be free, but they may not be trained, insured or available on a fixed schedule.
• Smart sensors and cameras can alert you to water, temperature or motion, but someone still has to go and look.
• Property management often covers rentals and maintenance, and may be a larger commitment than a simple check.

Many owners combine a home watch with sensors, so that an alert can be followed by a person on site.

Questions to ask when requesting a quote

Copy this list before you call or write:

1. What exactly is included in each visit?
2. How often do you recommend visiting my home, and why?
3. Are pools, irrigation, boats or outbuildings included?
4. How do you report after each visit, and how soon?
5. What happens in an emergency, and who do you contact?
6. Are you insured, and can I see proof?
7. What is your storm preparation and post-storm process?
8. Are there extra fees for deliveries, contractor visits or opening the home?
9. Is there a contract, and how do I cancel?
10. Can you give me references from other homeowners?

Information to have ready

A quote will be quicker and more accurate if you can tell the provider:

• The address and type of home
• Approximate size and any special features
• When you will be away, and for how long
• How you want to be contacted
• Any known problems (old roof, past leaks, older air conditioning)
• Who has keys or access, and who to call in case of emergency

Bottom line

The cost of a home watch depends on visit frequency, property size, special features, location, storm needs and the level of reporting you want. Rather than looking for one number, compare what each quote includes, and ask for it in writing.

To see how our plans are set out, visit our plans and pricing page. If you would like a quote for your own property, get in touch and tell us about your home and your schedule.