Alpilles Premium ServicesSecond home in the Alpilles: which signs of deterioration should alert you while you are away?
An overgrown lawn, a pool that has turned cloudy or an alarm going off for no apparent reason can be signs that a second home needs more regular attention. A property left empty for several weeks changes faster than you might think, sometimes to the point where several separate problems have built up before its owners return.
Alpilles Premium Services works with owners and tenants of main residences, second homes and exceptional properties in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Eygalières, Maussane-les-Alpilles, Les Baux-de-Provence, Fontvieille and Paradou. Requests from neighbouring villages are considered depending on the address and availability.
When you contact Alpilles Premium Services by phone, text message or through the website, a member of the team assesses the situation with you. They gather the relevant information, call on the most suitable qualified professional within their network and keep you clearly informed throughout the job. You receive a reply within one hour and a visit is arranged within 24 hours, including weekends and public holidays, depending on the nature of the need and availability.
Why does an unoccupied property deteriorate faster than you might think?
Between two stays, a second home keeps living: the pool goes out of balance, the vegetation grows, damp can settle into closed rooms. These changes often go unnoticed until the owners return, by which time several small problems have built up at once.
Which pool-related signs should alert you while you are away?
Several things may indicate that a check is needed:
- cloudy or green water;
- filtration that has stopped or an automatic treatment system reporting a fault;
- an abnormally low water level;
- an unusual smell near the plant room.
To find out more, see our dedicated page on pool repairs in the Alpilles.
Which signs in the garden and outdoor areas should alert you?
- vegetation that has grown significantly;
- an irrigation system left running or visibly out of order;
- a damaged gate or fence;
- leaves or debris piling up around the equipment.
Outdoor maintenance is described on our gardening and outdoor areas page.
Which signs concerning the security of the property should alert you?
- an alarm going off when no one has been on site;
- a shutter, entrance or automatic gate left open or stuck;
- no visit recorded over a long period.
When should you call in a professional for a second home?
A visit is recommended as soon as one of these signs appears, or as a preventive measure before owners, occupants or tenants arrive at a home that has stood empty. This check helps spot a fault that went unnoticed and prevents a problem from getting worse between two visits.
To arrange regular checks or a visit to your property, see our dedicated page on recurring home maintenance in the Alpilles.