[Stu from NYC]

Would hope the poster will come back with more details.

[bragones]

I have no problem keeping an eye out for my snowbird neighbor's home. Not a big deal to walk through every once in awhile and give the house a quick check. It saves them $$ and they are always quick to reciprocate with anything we need. They by no means would hold me liable for issues or mandate a schedule for me to check on the house. I do not do any maintenance but don't mind taking care of something obvious and easy. It's the way life used to be growing up as a child and in my opinion, the way it should be. Neighbors, becoming friends and helping each other out.

[MandoMan]

When I bought my home in The Villages, I called my next door neighbor and asked her for the names of the businesses who mow her lawn, clean her pool, spray for weeds or bugs, prune the shrubs and trees, etc., then arranged with all those companies to take care of mine on the same day they do hers. That way, our adjoining lawns always are the same length. Because I want to be a good neighbor, I’ve asked her to let me know if any of those people or companies fall short. I certainly would never ask her to water anything or pull weeds or prune a hedge.

[CTFORSBERG]

Absolutely not plus, there are a few services (and individuals) who will do that for them for a reduced monthly rate. You’ve probably just been extra nice to them so they are taking advantage. You are not obligated in any shape or form. Water a plant now and then or just keep an eye on the property out of courtesy, of course but that’s as far as it goes. God Bless and good luck!

[sterlingcnslts]

I have friends/neighbors that I keep an eye on their home while they are up north for the summer, but I do not take care of it. They have lawn and garden people to care for it but I call them if something is wrong (grass not being cut, sprinkler leak, etc) and they get it taken care of. Works for us!!!!

[dennisgavin]

not an issue. Friends help out friends. Snowbirds hire someone. Looks like someone is just stirring the pot.

[Edsmith913]

If they pay if you have to do work no problem. If they need a set of eyes so they can call the people to do the work ok. After all you want the place next to you to look good so it doesn't bring the value of your home down.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Anne17

I have often done this for neighbors and have absolutely no problem in doing so. ; that's the meaning of neighbor in my opinion.

Nope. Don't agree. That is the meaning of something else but I won't use that word here.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by toeser

We are people who leave for several months each summer. We pay our neighbors to take of some things while we are gone.

Do your neighbors have a license and insurance if something goes wrong in your home? Property management companies do.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by bragones

I have no problem keeping an eye out for my snowbird neighbor's home. Not a big deal to walk through every once in awhile and give the house a quick check. It saves them $$ and they are always quick to reciprocate with anything we need. They by no means would hold me liable for issues or mandate a schedule for me to check on the house. I do not do any maintenance but don't mind taking care of something obvious and easy. It's the way life used to be growing up as a child and in my opinion, the way it should be. Neighbors, becoming friends and helping each other out.

Three words for you........small claims court.

[kimgarwel12@gmail.com]

I always think it's a good idea to keep an eye on what goes on, who comes and goes in your neighborhood just as a general rule. Home Watch can't be there all the time. If you see a strange car parking, etc., or people lurking about, it doesn't hurt to know they might not be potential buyers, etc. As far as "maintaining" a home, no. Like others have said, if you can afford 2 homes, you can afford to pay someone to take a more active role in "maintaining" your home. Keeping an eye on things from afar is just good housekeeping. Clearly, if you notice water running out of the house or from the garage, etc, it warrants an immediate call to someone. We've exchanged phone #s with our neighbors who are snowbirds for just that reason. That's about the extent of "maintaining" that I wish to do. We're all in a retired situation and none of us, for the most part, care to "maintain" a home any longer. That's why we hire a lawn service, etc. I don't have a problem watering house plants for someone every 10 days or so. If they want to provide a key, I'll generally check things out, flush toilets, etc. Again, just good housekeeping and I would expect the like in return.

[bilcon]

Are you his Lackey? What Ba--s some people have. I'll bet he/she would probably complain about your maintenance when they return. Don't even think of it. If he means will you keep an eye on it, that's ok. I don't want anyone's key to their home and I don't give anyone my key. Just the way I am. If there is a problem when I am away, I have a relative who knows how to get into my home. There are a lot of great people in TV, but there are also an equal number of those who thrive on gossip.

[Bogie Shooter]

Where did OP go?

[Number 10 GI]

The neighbors next door to us are snowbirds and we have become good friends. I have a key to their house and do a monthly walk through checking for anything amiss. I turn on the water at the valve in the garage and flush toilets and run water in the drains when I walk through. He never asked but I volunteered to watch it for them. They would do the same for us so I don't mind. It is a minimal effort for me to do those few things. He has a lawn service to take care of the mowing, fertilization and weed control. Now if he had asked me to take care of the lawn myself I would have given him the phone number for the company that does ours. That would be asking for too much. The house across from us belongs to snowbirds also and we keep an eye on it for them but have no key. His brother lives in TV full time and we have his phone number if we see anything strange going on. He checks the house also. It's part of being a good neighbor.

[New Englander]

At my previous Villages home the couple next door leave for the entire summer and wanted me to go in their house once a week and make sure all is well check the outside and let them know.

I told them no. That is what home watch companies do. This is the same couple that wanted to "borrow" my lawn mower to cut their grass on a regular basis because they didn't want to buy a mower or hire a landscaper.