Guide · For owners
Caring for a Vacant Home
A friendly, practical guide to keeping an empty home safe, dry and ready between residents, from regular checks and utilities to winter care, security and insurance.
Where to start
- Storm or cold snap?
Walk through soon after. See what to check each visit.
- About to sit empty?
Read the insurance policy and talk with your agent first. See insurance and local rules.
- Want a simple routine?
Use the checklist on every visit. Same photos, same spots.
The short version
An empty home can’t tell anyone when something goes wrong, so a simple routine keeps it safe, dry and ready.
Walk through regularly and after storms. Check for leaks, run water in every drain, check the heat, and make sure doors and windows are secure.
Keep the heat on in winter, collect mail, care for the lawn and snow, and put lamps on timers so the home looks lived-in.
Many insurance policies treat vacant homes differently, so read the policy and talk with your agent before the home sits empty.
Rules about vacant homes differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.
Four simple rules
- 1Check it regularly
Walk through the home on a regular schedule, and after storms or cold snaps.
- 2Keep the heat on in winter
A heated home protects pipes. Never let the inside temperature fall too low.
- 3Make it look lived-in
Mowed lawns, cleared walks, no piled-up mail and lights on timers help keep a home safe.
- 4Read the insurance policy
Many policies treat vacant homes differently. Know the rules before the home sits empty.
Your vacant home visit checklist
From the guide’s own list of what to check each visit. Tick each one as you go. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Safe, dry and ready.
Insurance and local rules
Many policies limit coverage after a home sits empty for a set number of days. Talk with your agent.
Some cities require vacant home registration or yard care. A quick call now saves trouble later.
A smart thermostat or water leak sensor can text you if something goes wrong.
Guides that go well with this one
How much do you remember?
4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.
Go deeper with The Perfect Rental Owner Checklist Workbook
Simple, step by step checklists you can write in for owners who rent out a home: contractors, insurance, fair pricing, records, showings and more.
Keep the full guide handy
The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.
Download the PDFTake it with you
- Bunklow Home Guide 003: Caring for a Vacant HomeA printable Bunklow guide to caring for a vacant home: plain steps, how often to check, and when to call a pro.See it in the shop
- Bunklow Home Guide 117: Vacant Home Continuous Service Utility Agreements and Billing RolloversA printable guide to vacant home continuous service utility agreements and billing rollovers, in plain steps.See it in the shop
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This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal, insurance or safety-code advice. Please read your policy and talk with your insurance agent. Bunklow does not inspect properties or make repairs.