Opening and closing a holiday flat for the season
A holiday flat lives in two modes: five months with guests and seven months shut up. The two transitions between them β opening up in April and closing down in October β decide what the place will look like next year. Most of the problems owners pay for at the height of the season begin on exactly those two days.
Why the winter is harder on a flat than the season
A closed-up flat by the sea does not rest, it accumulates: damp in the textiles, mould in the corners of the outside walls, standing water in the traps, salt on the window frames and dust that sticks to the damp. The salt air works away at the outdoor unit of the air conditioning and at the metalwork on the terrace as well.
That is why closing up is not a "final clean" but a procedure of its own.
Closing up in October
Water
- Turn the main stopcock off and drain the water heater if the flat is being left unheated.
- Leave the traps plugged, or pour a little oil into them, so that the water does not evaporate and let smells in.
- Check the flexible hoses under the sinks β they are the things most likely to burst while nobody is there.
Damp
- Wash all the textiles and put them away dry: duvets, pillows, towels.
- Leave the cupboard doors and the washing machine door ajar.
- Put moisture traps in the bedrooms and in the cupboards, especially in corner flats.
Appliances
- Unplug everything, including the television and the router.
- Clean the air conditioning filters and leave the unit dry.
- Empty and defrost the fridge and leave it open.
General
- Take everything off the terrace: chairs, airers, decorations.
- Photograph the condition it is in β those photos are your starting point in the spring.
Opening up in April
Air it first, then everything else. A flat that has been shut for seven months needs a few hours of airing before the cleaning starts.
Check for mould. The corners of the outside walls, behind the wardrobe, around the window frames. If there are patches, they need treating rather than simply washing off β otherwise they are back within the first week of air conditioning. Anything worse than that means painting as well.
Water. Turn the main stopcock on and go round every point: mixers, cistern, connections. A leak shows itself in the first few minutes or not at all.
Appliances. Run the air conditioning and see how it cools; run the washing machine on a short cycle with nothing in it. The air conditioning service is done now, not in July β see air conditioning installation and repair.
A deep clean. Inside the cupboards, the window frames, the tiles, the grout, the balcony after a winter of dust and salt.
Textiles. After the winter the mattresses and the pillows want airing, and often upholstery cleaning as well β particularly if the flat is let out.
How long it takes
For a one-bedroom flat: closing up, half a day; opening up with a deep clean, a full day for one person or half a day for two. If there is work to be done after the winter, the cleaning comes after it rather than before.
When to plan it
Closing up: in October, straight after the last guests, while the weather still allows airing. Opening up: three or four weeks before the first guests, so there is time for repairs if anything comes to light. If you wait for May, you will be in the queue with the whole resort β that is the week when providers in Sunny Beach are at their busiest.
Common questions
When is the best time to close the flat for winter? In October, right after the last guests, while the weather still lets you air the place.
When should I open it before the season? Three to four weeks before the first guests, so there is time for repairs if something turns up. Wait until May and you queue with the whole resort β that is when providers in Sunny Beach are busiest.
What matters most when closing? Main tap off and the water heater drained if the flat stays unheated; textiles washed and stored dry; wardrobe and washing-machine doors left ajar; moisture absorbers in the bedrooms; appliances unplugged; fridge defrosted and left open; the terrace cleared. And photos of the state of the flat β they are the starting point in spring.
How long does it take? For a one-bedroom flat, closing is half a day; opening with a deep clean is a full day for one person or half a day for two. If there are repairs, the cleaning comes after them.
What if there is mould in spring? Treat the patches rather than just washing them off, or they come back after the first week of air conditioning. Serious patches mean repainting.
How to book
Describe the flat and what you need β offers usually arrive within 5β15 minutes:
If you let the place out during the season, have a look at cleaning between guests too, and for prices at the cost of cleaning a flat.