The best second home maintenance checklist covers four moments: arriving at the property, leaving after a visit, preparing for an extended absence, and opening back up after one. Most second home maintenance problems happen in the gaps between visits when nobody is there to notice things. A good checklist closes those gaps.
Your primary residence forgives a lot of neglect because you're there every day to catch things early. A second home doesn't work that way. Problems develop between visits, quietly, without anyone to notice them.
The antidote is a consistent maintenance routine tied to the moments that matter most.
Arrival checklist: before you unpack
Exterior: storm damage, outdoor furniture condition, dock and water equipment, pest activity, exterior lights.
Interior systems: turn on water and check for leaks, water heater temperature, HVAC, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, garbage disposal.
General: note anything different from how you left it, check supply inventory, confirm all appliances are working.
If you find anything that needs attention, log it immediately with a photo and note.
Departure checklist: before you lock up
Kitchen: dishes done, fridge cleared of perishables, garbage disposal run, trash out, stove off.
Throughout the house: all windows and doors locked, ceiling fans off, lights off, thermostats set to away temperature.
Exterior: outdoor furniture secured, grill cleaned and covered, equipment secured, all exterior doors locked.
Before you drive away: take photos of main living areas and equipment. Note anything that needs attention before next visit.
Extended absence checklist: leaving for the season
Water system: turn off main water supply if winterizing, drain pipes, turn water heater to vacation mode.
HVAC: set to minimum temperature (55°F), change filters, schedule seasonal maintenance.
Refrigerator: empty completely, leave door slightly open.
Security: confirm all entry points are locked, alarm or monitoring system armed, let a trusted neighbor know you'll be away.
Opening checklist: coming back after a long absence
Water: turn main supply back on slowly, check every fixture for leaks, turn water heater back to normal.
HVAC: set to normal temperature, confirm system is responding, check filters.
General: run all faucets to flush lines, test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, walk exterior for weather or wildlife damage.
How Dwelly keeps the checklist from living on a sticky note
Dwelly has arrival and departure checklists built into the app, resettable after each visit. The maintenance log tracks anything that needs attention. The property information panel stores seasonal notes specific to your property.
For a second home you manage alone, Dwelly gives you the same organized system without requiring co-owners.
It's $9/month for one property. There's a 14-day free trial at dwellyco.com.
Ready to stop managing your second home from memory? Try Dwelly free for 14 days at dwellyco.com.