Home Watch in Switzerland: How to Protect Your Property While Away
What is home watch?
Home watch – essentially professional property monitoring – comes from the USA and Canada, where the service has long been standard for holiday homes and second residences. A professional home watch service inspects your property regularly in your absence, documents its condition and immediately coordinates any necessary measures. In Switzerland this service is still rare – yet it is just as valuable here.
Why empty properties are risky
The most expensive damage is not caused by events, but by late discovery. A small water leak becomes major damage over weeks, incorrectly heated rooms grow mould, and obviously empty properties attract burglars. Many insurers also require owners to fulfil their duty of care – with properties left unattended for months, this can become a problem when claiming.
- Water damage goes undiscovered for weeks
- Mould from incorrect heating and airing
- Burglary and vandalism at obviously empty properties
- Insurance requirements and duty of care
What a professional home watch service checks
On every inspection we go through a fixed checklist – inside and out. Afterwards you receive a photo report so you can see from afar: everything is in order.
- Water, heating, electricity and appliances
- Windows, doors, locks and alarm system
- Mail, parcels and letterbox
- Airing, plants, waste and refrigerator
- Exterior: roof, facade, garden, snow load
How often should inspections happen?
It depends on the property and season. As a rule of thumb: weekly to bi-weekly for apartments, weekly for houses with gardens and technical infrastructure. In winter we recommend tighter intervals for holiday homes because of frost and snow load.
Home watch with Swiss PA Services
We look after properties in Zug, Zurich, Lucerne, Schwyz and the Höfe region – from city apartments to chalets. After a free initial visit you receive a care plan with inspection rhythm and a transparent flat rate. Your home is in the best hands, even when you are far away.