Your Flat Is Empty in India. Who Is Looking After It?
Property Knowledge · Published 22 Oct 2026 · 3 min read
Two years, no one inside
Nikhil lives in Melbourne. His flat in Pune has been empty for two years, since the last tenant left. "It's locked. It's fine," he'd say.
On his next visit, it wasn't fine. A slow leak from the bathroom above had stained the bedroom ceiling. Termites had found the wardrobe. The society had sent three notices about unpaid maintenance to an email he never checked. And the electricity meter had been disconnected for unpaid minimum charges.
A locked door keeps people out. It doesn't stop water, insects or paperwork.
An empty flat still needs someone
Whether your flat is empty, rented out or waiting to be sold, someone on the ground needs to look after it. You have three choices:
| Option | What it looks like | Works best when |
|---|---|---|
| Family or a friend | A relative visits once a month and handles small issues | They live close by and are happy to help long-term |
| A property management service | A company or individual paid a monthly fee to inspect, maintain and, if rented, manage tenants | No family nearby, or the flat is rented out |
| Do it yourself from abroad | You coordinate the society, plumbers and bills remotely | Only for short gaps, or as a last resort |
What a good caretaker or manager does
- Visits regularly, at least monthly, and sends dated photos.
- Opens windows, runs taps and flushes, and checks for leaks, damp and pests.
- Pays or tracks society maintenance, electricity, water and property tax, so nothing gets disconnected or fined.
- Arranges repairs with quotes you approve first.
- If rented: finds tenants, checks them, prepares a written rental agreement, collects rent and handles move-out.
Choosing a property manager
- Ask for references from other owners they manage for, especially NRIs.
- Get a written agreement listing services, fees, visit frequency and how payments are handled.
- Agree on spending limits: above a set amount, they need your approval in writing.
- Keep control of money: rent goes directly into your bank account, not theirs.
- Never sign a general power of attorney for this. Day-to-day management doesn't need one (see our article on powers of attorney).
- Meet them in person on your next visit, and visit the flat together.
The solution: put the flat on a routine
Nikhil fixed the leak, treated the termites and cleared the dues. He now pays a local property manager a monthly fee. Every month he gets photos, bill receipts and a short note. The flat is now ready to rent.
Your checklist
- Decide who looks after the flat: family, a paid manager, or both.
- Update your contact details with the housing society, including your overseas email and WhatsApp number.
- Set up auto-pay for electricity, maintenance and property tax where possible.
- Arrange a monthly visit with photos: walls, ceilings, taps, meter, door and windows.
- Do pest control once or twice a year.
- Keep a spare key with the person in charge, and change the locks if keys go missing.
- Keep a folder of sale deed, society share certificate, tax receipts and bills, with scanned copies online.
The 30-second takeaway
A locked flat isn't a safe flat. Give someone the job of checking on it every month, and keep the bills on auto-pay.
Looking for a reliable caretaker in your city? Ask NRI Prism Community members for their experience.
This article is for general understanding only. For rental agreements or disputes, take advice from a qualified professional.