Here is a plain explanation of what the service actually covers, so you can make that call before you need it.
What keyholding is – in plain terms
A keyholder is a trusted local person who holds a secure copy of your property keys and can access your home when you cannot.
That is the core of it. Everything else – the inspections, the photo reports, the emergency access, the contractor coordination – flows from that one thing. Having someone local with a key who knows your property and can act quickly.
For owners based in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany or anywhere else outside Spain, it is the difference between a problem being caught in 48 hours and a problem sitting unnoticed for six weeks until your next visit.
What is actually included
Keyholding is not one thing. It is a collection of services that can be scaled up or down depending on what your property needs. Here is what the full picture looks like.
Secure key storage Your keys are held securely and labelled with your property details. We keep a record of who has authorised access, what the alarm code is, where the water stopcock is, and any specific access instructions. If anything changes – a new gate code, a new lock – we update the record.
Regular property inspections This is the most important part for most owners. We visit the property on an agreed schedule – typically once a month for empty second homes, fortnightly for rural properties or larger homes left empty for long periods, and after each rental for holiday properties. During the visit we check doors, windows and locks, look for visible leaks, damp, smells or pest activity, flush taps, showers and toilets, check the terrace and outdoor areas, and look at the post.
Photo reports After each inspection, we send a report. For a straightforward visit where everything is fine, the update is short and clear – the property is secure, nothing needs attention. If something is found, you get photographs and a plain explanation of what is happening before we do anything. You stay in the picture without needing to be in the country.
Emergency access If something goes wrong – a leak, an alarm, storm damage, a break-in, a guest who cannot get in – we can attend and deal with it locally. We assess the situation, handle the immediate priority, coordinate the right next step, and keep you informed. For owners abroad, this is the part of the service that pays for itself the first time it is needed.
Contractor access Maintenance and repair work cannot always wait until your next visit. We can let approved contractors into your property – plumbers, electricians, builders, cleaners, gardeners, pool companies, internet engineers, furniture deliveries – and stay on site where needed. You approve the work and the contractor. We handle the access.
Post and parcel collection Full letterboxes signal to anyone watching that a property is unattended. We check and collect post during visits. If something official or important arrives, we notify you. We only open or photograph private documents with your specific permission.
Pre-arrival checks Before you or your guests arrive, we go through the property and make sure everything is working. Air conditioning on and tested, hot water running, windows aired, pool checked, any obvious issues dealt with. You or your guests arrive to a property that is ready, not one that needs 20 minutes of troubleshooting after a long journey.
Guest check-in and check-out support For owners who rent their property occasionally but do not need full rental management, we can handle key handovers for guests arriving and departing, coordinate cleaner access, and carry out a basic check before each arrival and after each departure.
Maintenance coordination When something needs more than a check – a leak to fix, a pool problem, a repair to organise – we coordinate with local tradespeople on your behalf. We get quotes, manage access, and report back. You make the decisions. We manage the logistics.
What happens during a property inspection
A typical inspection takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on the property. We work through a consistent checklist.
Exterior first – gates, fencing, shutters, visible roof condition, any obvious storm or weather damage. Then inside – doors and windows locked securely, no visible water damage or staining on ceilings and walls, no smell of damp or mould, electricity on, hot water running, taps and toilets flushed to keep traps full. We check the post, look at the terrace and any outdoor areas, and note anything that has changed since the last visit.
For rural properties with pools, the pool condition is included in the check. For properties with gardens or irrigation systems, we note anything that needs attention and flag it.
If everything is fine, you get a brief confirmation. If something needs action, you get photos and a clear explanation the same day.
How it works for different property types
The service is the same in principle for all property types. The frequency and focus change depending on what the property is and how it is used.
Empty second homes visited once or twice a year. Monthly checks are the standard. The priority is catching slow problems early – damp, pests, a leaking pipe under a sink, a tripped circuit — before they develop into something expensive. These are the properties where regular visits pay off most clearly.
Rural fincas. Fortnightly checks are usually more appropriate here. Rural properties have more variables – private water supplies, septic tanks, gate mechanisms, irrigation systems, older electrical installations, access tracks that can change condition after rain. They need someone who knows the property and knows the area.
Holiday rentals without full management. Checks after each rental are the standard rhythm. The main priorities are security after a guest departure, picking up any damage, ensuring the property is ready for the next arrival, and coordinating cleaning and maintenance access between bookings.
Properties waiting to be sold or rented. Regular checks during a marketing period ensure the property stays presentable. We can also coordinate viewings if needed.
What it costs
Our keyholding service in the Axarquía starts from €50 per month for basic secure keyholding and emergency access availability.
Standard property care – secure keyholding plus monthly inspections, photo updates, and basic property checks – starts from €85 per month. This is the right level for most second-home owners.
Premium empty-home care, with fortnightly inspections, photo reports after each visit, damp and ventilation checks, storm follow-ups and pre-arrival checks, starts from €125 per month. This suits rural fincas, larger properties, and anything left empty for long periods.
For holiday rental owners who need local support without full management, the rental keyholding package starts from €150 per month and covers guest key access, cleaner coordination, and arrival and departure checks.
Final pricing depends on your property’s location, size, and access requirements. Rural properties with difficult tracks, gates, or long drive times from our base in Cómpeta may vary. We confirm the exact price after understanding the property.
Is keyholding the same as property management?
Not exactly. Keyholding covers access, inspections, and emergency response. Property management typically covers the commercial and administrative side as well – bookings, guest communication, pricing, rental statements, and platform management.
If you rent your property on Airbnb, Booking.com or Vrbo and want someone to run the whole operation, our holiday rental management service is the right fit. If you want the property looked after but handle the rental side yourself, keyholding is the right starting point.
The two services work together well and many of our clients use both.
Who this service is for
If you own a property in the Axarquía and you are not based here full time, a local keyholder is not optional infrastructure. It is basic property ownership. Things go wrong. Guests arrive and cannot get in. Pipes leak slowly behind kitchen units. Storms damage gates and nobody notices for weeks.
Having someone with a key, a checklist, and a WhatsApp contact is how you manage a property you cannot physically be at.
If you own a property here and you do not currently have a local contact you trust with your keys, now is a straightforward time to sort that out.
Frequently asked questions
What is keyholding and why do I need it in Spain?
Keyholding means a trusted local person holds a secure copy of your property keys and can access your home when you cannot. For owners based outside Spain, it provides a local contact who can attend in an emergency, carry out regular inspections, let contractors in, and deal with problems before they become expensive. It is particularly relevant for properties in the Axarquía, where rural locations, seasonal usage, and long periods without ventilation or oversight create specific risks.
How often should a Spanish second home be checked?
For an empty second home visited once or twice a year, monthly inspections are the standard minimum. Fortnightly checks are better for rural properties, larger homes, older houses with older electrical installations, or properties with pools left untreated. After significant DANA storms or heavy rain, an additional check is advisable regardless of the normal schedule.
What does a property inspection in the Axarquía actually involve?
A typical inspection covers doors, windows and locks, visible leaks, damp, smells and pest signs, electricity, taps and toilets, post and parcels, outdoor areas, terrace condition, pool condition where applicable, and any storm or weather damage. The checklist is adapted to the property. Photo reports are sent when something needs attention, or after every visit if you prefer.
Can you let contractors into my property when I am not in Spain?
Yes. We can provide access for approved tradespeople — plumbers, electricians, builders, cleaners, gardeners, pool companies, internet engineers, and delivery teams. You approve who is coming and what they are doing. We manage the access and, where needed, stay on site while work is carried out.
What is the difference between keyholding and holiday rental management?
Keyholding covers the physical side – secure key storage, inspections, emergency access, contractor coordination, and pre-arrival checks. Holiday rental management covers the commercial operation – bookings, guest communication, pricing, platform management, cleaning coordination, and owner statements. If you rent your property and want someone to run everything, rental management is the right service. If you want the property looked after without handing over the commercial operation, keyholding is the starting point.
How much does keyholding cost in the Axarquía?
Our keyholding service starts from €50 per month for basic secure keyholding and emergency access. Standard property care with monthly inspections starts from €85 per month. Premium empty-home care with fortnightly checks starts from €125 per month. Holiday rental keyholding support starts from €150 per month. Final pricing depends on property location, size, access, and the level of service required. We confirm the exact price after understanding your property.
Find out more about our keyholding service in the Axarquía or send me a message on WhatsApp and tell me where your property is.
WhatsApp: +34 711 032 640
