Second Home in Madeira: Property Check Checklist

A second home can remain empty for weeks or months while its owner is away from Madeira. During that time, small changes can go unnoticed: a water mark near a window, a leaking connection, a damaged shutter or an issue outside the property.

There is no single inspection schedule that is appropriate for every property. Location, construction, exposure and the length of absence differ from one home to another. Madeira also has distinct microclimates: the official tourism authority notes that the south is generally warmer and drier, while the north and mountainous areas are more exposed to wind and rainfall.

1. Look for visible signs of moisture or water

Check ceilings and walls, areas around windows and doors, bathrooms and kitchens, visible pipe connections, floors near exterior openings and places where a previous leak has occurred.

The aim is not a professional moisture survey. It is to notice visible changes such as water marks, condensation, damp surfaces, peeling paint or an obvious leak. The EPA identifies moisture control as central to controlling indoor mould growth.

2. Check windows, doors and access points

Confirm whether windows appear properly closed, exterior doors are intact, shutters show visible damage, gates and other access points have changed, or water appears to have entered around frames or openings.

After strong wind or rain, these exposed areas deserve particular attention.

3. Look at water and basic utilities

A routine visit is not a plumbing or electrical inspection. It can still reveal water below a sink, an evident leak, unusual water accumulation, a visible appliance warning, an obvious loss of power or an unusual smell.

If diagnosis or repair is needed, the appropriate qualified professional should take over.

4. Walk through exterior areas

Depending on the property, check terraces, balconies, entrances, gardens, gates, fences, exterior furniture, shutters, awnings and visible drainage areas.

This remains a ground-level visual check, not a structural or roof inspection.

5. Check after significant weather

An additional visual check after significant wind or rainfall can reveal water ingress, damaged shutters or awnings, displaced outdoor furniture, fallen branches, water accumulation or visible damage to gates and fences.

IPMA issues separate warnings for Madeira’s North Coast, Mountain, South Coast and Porto Santo regions. A warning does not prove damage at a particular home; it is a reason to check the actual condition of the property.

6. Look for changes, not simply presence

A new ceiling mark, water below a sink, a damaged shutter, a new damp smell or a displaced outdoor object are useful observations. They do not establish the technical cause, but they give the owner information that would otherwise be missing.

7. Document anything unusual

Useful reporting records where an issue was found, what was visible, when it was noticed and photographs where appropriate.

A report should describe the observation, not present an unverified technical diagnosis as fact.

8. Prepare the property before your return

Before the owner arrives, the agreed scope can include checking whether rooms are ready to use, whether cleaning is needed, whether previously reported issues remain unresolved and whether exterior areas are presentable.