Published 21 September 2026 · SM Holdings
Holiday Home Maintenance on the Ionian Coast
A holiday home near Preveza is used for four months and left alone for eight. The damage happens in the eight. This is the maintenance calendar we use for the properties we manage and for our own building at Chroneika.
What the coast does to a building
Salt air corrodes metal — railings, hinges, air-conditioning units, outdoor lighting — faster than inland. Winter humidity in a closed house produces mould on walls, mattresses and inside wardrobes. Autumn and winter storms test shutters, gutters and terrace drainage. Summer sun fades textiles and cracks plastic furniture. None of it is dramatic on its own; all of it compounds if nobody visits.
Autumn shut-down
- Switch off and drain what can freeze or stagnate; leave the water heater off
- Deep clean, then leave wardrobes and interior doors open
- Strip beds; store linen and towels in sealed containers away from external walls
- Bring in or cover outdoor furniture; lock shutters
- Photograph every room — the reference for the spring inspection
- Take meter readings and check that no appliance is left on standby
Winter checks
- A monthly visit: run taps, flush toilets, open windows for an hour, check for damp spots and leaks
- After every storm: roof, gutters, terraces, shutters, any water inside
- Move dehumidifiers or moisture absorbers between rooms; empty them
- Check the exterior for salt corrosion on railings and fittings
Spring re-opening
- Air-conditioning service — filters, gas, drainage — before the first guest, not after the first complaint
- Water heater, boiler and appliances tested
- WiFi speed tested in every room
- Shutters, doors and locks oiled; railings checked
- Outdoor furniture cleaned or replaced; garden and pool serviced where present
- Full inventory against the autumn photos; restock consumables
During the season
Inspection after every changeover catches the small things — a dripping tap, a loose railing, a broken chair — before the next guest finds them. Keep a local electrician and plumber on call: on the coast in August they are busy, and a manager who already works with them gets served first.
Want this handled for your property?
Tell us where it is and how you would like to rent it. We will send a written proposal.