The Overseas Homeowner’s Guide to Caring for Your Property in Umbria

Practical advice for owners who can’t always be there

Owning a property in Umbria is wonderful. Looking after it from another country can be a very different story. Good property care in Umbria starts with regular checks, practical maintenance and having reliable local support when you can’t be there yourself.

Whether your home is used as a private retreat, a second home or a holiday rental, regular care and local oversight can help identify problems early, keep maintenance under control and give you peace of mind when you’re away.

1. Don’t leave your property unchecked for long periods

An empty property can develop problems that aren’t immediately obvious.

A small leak, electrical issue, damp problem, storm damage or failure of a utility system can become considerably more expensive if nobody notices it.

Regular property inspections can help identify issues before they become bigger problems.

During a visit, Tony can check the property and look for anything that needs attention, including obvious maintenance issues and whether essential systems and amenities appear to be operating correctly.

2. Have someone local who knows your property

For an overseas owner, having someone local isn’t just about having a key.

It’s about having someone who knows the property, understands its history and can recognise when something isn’t quite right.

A trusted local contact can:

Carry out regular inspections
Hold keys securely
Identify maintenance issues
Coordinate contractors
Liaise with cleaners, gardeners and other professionals
Check work being carried out
Keep you informed when something needs attention

This can save you having to organise everything remotely.

3. Maintenance is easier when problems are found early

Italian properties, particularly older homes and rural villas, can require ongoing maintenance.

It’s often the smaller things that become expensive when left unattended.

Regular checks can help identify issues such as:

Water leaks
Damp or weather-related problems
Electrical issues
Plumbing problems
Pool or garden concerns
Damage following storms or bad weather
Problems with property systems or equipment

Where work is required, having someone local who can coordinate trusted contractors and oversee what needs to be done can make the process considerably easier.

4. What happens when a contractor needs access?

This is one of the biggest challenges for overseas owners.

The electrician needs access.

The plumber needs access.

Someone needs to provide a quotation.

A repair needs checking.

You don’t necessarily want to fly to Italy every time someone needs to enter the property.

A property manager can coordinate access to the property and liaise with contractors on your behalf, depending on the service required.

One local point of contact can make a surprisingly big difference.

5. Getting your property ready before you arrive

Nobody wants to arrive at their Italian home after travelling, only to discover that something isn’t working.

With regular property management, the property can be checked ahead of your arrival.

Depending on your requirements, this can include:

Checking essential utilities and systems
Checking that amenities are working
Identifying anything that needs attention
Arranging cleaning
Coordinating gardening or pool preparation
Arranging other services required before your arrival

The aim is simple:

You arrive and enjoy your property rather than immediately starting a maintenance list.

6. What about deliveries and small errands?

For clients who require a more hands-on service, additional assistance can make owning a property from overseas much easier.

For example, clients may need:

A package accepted and kept safely
Someone to meet a delivery driver
Assistance with a larger delivery
A reasonable small errand completed locally

These are the sorts of practical jobs that can be difficult when you’re hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Property Management Plus includes additional hands-on assistance for clients who need it.

7. Keep your property secure

It’s easy to become relaxed about security when you know the area and feel comfortable in your Italian home. However, it’s important not to become complacent.

Don’t leave passports, identity documents, jewellery, phones, laptops or other valuables on display. Keep valuable items secure, ideally in a safe, and always close and lock doors and windows when leaving the property.

If your property is used by holiday guests, these simple precautions are important for them too.

Unfortunately, one incident can quickly spoil the enjoyment of owning or staying at your Italian home.

8. What happens if something goes wrong?

For existing property-management clients, Tony can respond when an issue is identified during a scheduled property visit or when a problem is reported.

Where necessary, Tony can arrange an ad-hoc visit, weather and circumstances permitting, assess the situation and coordinate the appropriate local professional.

If you’re not currently a client, emergency call-outs and one-off property checks aren’t offered as a standalone service. However, you’re welcome to arrange a consultation to discuss the problem, understand what is required and find out how Tony may be able to help.

9. One-off visits or ongoing management?

Our property-management services are designed around ongoing, year-round care, giving Tony the opportunity to become familiar with your property and identify potential issues before they become bigger problems.

For existing clients, ad-hoc property visits can also be arranged when needed, weather and circumstances permitting, for example following severe weather, when an unexpected issue is reported or when a property needs checking between scheduled visits.

For homeowners who are not currently clients, one-off property checks aren’t offered as a standalone service. If you have a particular problem or concern, you can arrange a consultation with Tony to discuss your requirements and the most suitable way forward.

Emergency numbers in Italy
If you need emergency assistance while in Italy, 112 is the free European emergency number and can connect you with the appropriate emergency service. Other useful numbers include 115 for the Fire Brigade, 118 for emergency medical assistance and 113 for the State Police.

See the full list of emergency numbers in Italy →

A few final things worth having in place

Before you leave your property, make sure you know where to find the important information you may need while you are away.

This includes your utility details, insurance information, boiler and maintenance records, emergency contacts, keyholders and the details of trusted local tradespeople.

We’ve included a practical Essential Property Information Checklist at the end of this guide to help you keep everything together in one place.

Keep your property information in one place

There are a few pieces of information that are worth having readily available when you are away from your property.