About remote monitoring
Practical steps for securing, insuring, and keeping an eye on a vacant inherited property while probate runs its course.
Update the insurance coverage first
Standard homeowners policies typically include a vacancy clause that suspends or significantly limits coverage once a home sits unoccupied, often somewhere between 30 and 60 days. A dedicated vacant or unoccupied dwelling policy fills that gap, and it is worth calling the insurance agent as soon as the property is known to be vacant, not months into probate.
Secure the property
Rekey or change the locks once you have legal access, add visible exterior lighting, and ask a neighbor or a lawn service to keep the yard maintained so the home does not look vacant from the street.
Keep utilities running, carefully
Florida's humidity accelerates mold growth in a closed-up house, so keeping the air conditioning running, even at a higher temperature setting, helps protect the interior. Keeping water and power on also allows security and monitoring systems to function.
Add a layer of remote monitoring
A doorbell camera, indoor motion-sensor cameras, smart water leak sensors near water heaters and under sinks, and a monitored alarm system can flag a break-in, a leak, or an air conditioning failure long before an in-person visit would catch it.
Don't skip in-person checks
Technology helps, but it does not replace a walk-through every couple of weeks. Roof damage, pest issues, and slow leaks are often easiest to catch in person.
Plan around hurricane season
Florida's hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. A vacant home needs a plan even when no one is there to react quickly: shutters or impact windows in place, gutters clear, and the insurance policy reviewed for windstorm coverage.
You do not have to check on it alone
Coordinating insurance, security, and periodic property checks is easier with one point of contact who already understands the probate timeline and what is at stake while the house sits vacant.
See the Florida probate timeline for when the property decision typically comes up, and real property risks during probate for the full picture.
This is a general overview for informational purposes and is not legal advice. Actual requirements vary by county, court, and the complexity of the estate. Consult a licensed Florida probate attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
CPRES-certified, and one point of contact for the property.
Questions about your specific situation, or the property itself, send a message. No script, no pressure to list.
