Hello! I’m leaving LOS for an extended period for the first time since moving here. Are there any tips or things I should do to prepare the condo before leaving?

I’m kind of worried about mould for some reason. Is there any real reason to be concerned about it?

Yes, mould (mold for us Americans) is probably the main thing I’d think about if you’re leaving a condo in Thailand closed up for an extended period.

Before leaving, I’d make sure the place is very clean and completely dry. Don’t leave wet towels, damp laundry, food, trash, or anything organic sitting around. Empty the refrigerator if you’re turning it off, leave the doors slightly open, and make sure there’s no standing water anywhere (empty ice).

I’d also leave closet and cabinet doors slightly open so air can circulate. If you have someone you trust, having them come in every month and check for leaks or problems would be ideal.

I’d also shut off the water supply if practical, unplug unnecessary electronics, and make sure the balcony drains are clear before you leave.

One thing I’d add from personal experience: make sure everything is completely closed off against rodents.

I’m gone for about three months at a time, and this year when I came back I was exhausted and immediately laid down on the bed for a quick nap. When I woke up, I turned the lights on to straighten the comforter and nearly had a heart attack. 555

Apparently, while I was gone, some kind of rodent had made a nest on the other side of the bed. I have no idea if it was mice, rats, or something else, but it looked like they had used my spare pillow and that side of the bed to have babies and then abandoned the nest.

Absolutely disgusting.

I had to disgard my entire bedding and start over.

So now, in addition to worrying about humidity and mould, I make sure windows, balcony doors, drains, vents, and any possible entry points are properly sealed before I leave.

I don’t know if they are worth a shit, but I bought these for my closet and bathroom - they are supposed to absorb excess moisture.

Yes mould will most likely be an issue. I would leave no clothes in wardrobes etc, when I leave for extended periods I put all bed linen, clothes and anything else that will fit into very large vacuum bags and then vacuum the air out.

The dehumidifiers above do work, but are likely to be completely used within a few months and so would not last 1-2 years. I only go for up to 4 months at a time, so I also put fans on a timer to come on a few times a day to circulate air. I am not sure I would be happy to have a timer in use for up to 2 years, it might be ok if you could have someone to come by every few months.

Also fill the toilet bowl as much as you can and then cling film over the bowl, otherwise the water in the bowl will evaporate over time and the toilet will give access to sewer gases!

I have homes in Philippines and Thailand.

I have Wi-Fi connected hygrometers and I run the air.conditioners in my absence 24/7 on dry mode.

Philippines is the worst. I also installed wifi connected aircons so I could control them remotely. This is one currently in dry mode.

Before I did this, I always returned to mold all over the furniture (in Philippines) and terrible moldy-smell in thailand.

16 minutes ago, kd_traveller said:

Also fill the toilet bowl as much as you can and then cling film over the bowl, otherwise the water in the bowl will evaporate over time and the toilet will give access to sewer gases!

I don't do this. I pour a generous amount of bleach into the toilet and into each drain. That has worked to keep the water from evaporating. Plus bleach in the drains has eliminated most roaches that used to arrive through the shower drain or empty toilet bowl (I don't know how).

48 minutes ago, Luv2Phuket said:

I don’t know if they are worth a shit, but I bought these for my closet and bathroom - they are supposed to absorb excess moisture.

In the US, I always had "damp rid" packets in my closets, bathroom and kitchen. They work great for minor moisture control but I never used them in thailand for extended absences or for serious moisture.

20 minutes ago, kd_traveller said:

The dehumidifiers above do work, but are likely to be completely used within a few months and so would not last 1-2 years.

I was told to add the hose and drain them to a sink or put them in the shower while I was gone. Set them to 60% RH and low speed.

I never did and I often wondered about their longevity. That would solve my issues but I'd be scared to burn them out.

@harryfett "Preparing a Condo for 1–2 Years of Vacancy".

I was locked out of the Philippines for 2 years and 6 months. I returned to ZERO mold, plus a few dead roaches and mice. That was worth every Piso I paid for my electric bill while I was gone.

10 hours ago, travelling_man said:

I have Wi-Fi connected hygrometers and I run the air.conditioners in my absence 24/7 on dry mode.

This 100%. Similar issue in Florida where I live. I’m here in Pattaya for two months now and the air conditioning is left on. I can remotely monitor it if necessary. And it is set at a fairly high temperature. It is just to keep the humidity under control.

Regarding toilets, sinks, and showers, you can pour some mineral oil into them to form a barrier either on the surface of the toilet or in the trap for sinks and showers.

For me, it would make sense to have somebody check on the property on a regular basis

@harryfett If your condo is going to be vacant for 2 years why don't you rent it out and let the tenant look after it?

The simple thing to do here is if you have a visiting maid / cleaner just let her service the room once a month and you you continue to pay her the same .

A smart water leak sensor.

1 minute ago, Barrier6525 said:

A smart water leak sensor.

Humidity wont raise far enough to trigger it and if it does it wont do any good.

1 hour ago, Kandinski said:

Humidity wont raise far enough to trigger it and if it does it wont do any good.

I'm guessing the concern would be something along the lines of a burst pipe. When alerted a call to bldg management or a friend in the area could mitigate the damage.

4 minutes ago, forcebwithu said:

I'm guessing the concern would be something along the lines of a burst pipe. When alerted a call to bldg management or a friend in the area could mitigate the damage.

Was a bit sarcastic but doesnt all close the main inlet valve before leaving for an extended period?

2 hours ago, Kandinski said:

Was a bit sarcastic but doesnt all close the main inlet valve before leaving for an extended period?

No. In neither country.

And you would need your water leak detector in multiple locations (under sink, bathroom), etc. but still wouldn't help if it was from an upstairs unit. Since it was mentioned, might as well address it.

4 hours ago, worldpunter said:

just let her service the room once a month

I don't share with my keys with anyone. And the condo stays relatively clean while closed.

5 hours ago, Macawber said:

why don't you rent it out

Can't speak for the OP, but I would never rent out a property that I use as my residence.

1 hour ago, travelling_man said:

No. In neither country.

And you would need your water leak detector in multiple locations (under sink, bathroom), etc. but still wouldn't help if it was from an upstairs unit. Since it was mentioned, might as well address it.

With the main valve closed liability for any leak(s) will AFAIK rest upon others. Anyway, its best practice to ensure main valves are operative at all time and they are normally easy accessible so why not close them?

Having returned to significant mold growth after a few months, I wouldn't risk leaving it 1-2 years without either someone to visit and check for mold, or a dehumidifier.

You can buy a cheap remote control automation transmitter, and set it to run your AC on dry mode for a few hours morning and evening.