The House You Left Behind: Protecting Property While Living Abroad

A home back home can represent years of work and a place you still feel connected to. When you live abroad, asking a relative, friend, or caretaker to look after it can be a good arrangement. Put the details in writing while everyone has time to talk them through.

Agree on what happens before you hand over the keys

Write down who will stay at the property, when the arrangement starts, when you’ll review it, and whether any rent or household costs will be paid. Agree on who handles routine maintenance, who can authorize repairs, and what to do if someone else wants to move in. Talk through how you’ll handle a change of plans, such as a longer stay or a visit home.

Give everyone a copy and update it together when something changes. If you’re unsure how local rules treat the arrangement, ask a qualified property lawyer where the home is located to review it before anyone signs or moves in.

Keep title documents and household records separate

Store original property documents securely and keep a backup you can access from abroad. Depending on the property, your file might include registration records, purchase documents, survey plans, and correspondence about the property.

Keep utility bills, tax receipts, repair invoices, and insurance records in a separate folder. They can help you track payments and maintenance. For questions about ownership or a competing claim, check with the relevant land registry and a qualified local property lawyer about which records matter. In Ghana, for example, the Lands Commission’s official portal is a starting point for land record services.

Agree on check-ins and a repair plan

Decide how often you’ll check in and what updates would be helpful. A quick call after heavy rain or a photo of a completed repair can be more useful than waiting for your next trip. Agree in advance on access and notice for visits or inspections, taking account of local rules and the occupant’s privacy.

Leave a contact for urgent repairs and agree on a spending limit. Ask for an estimate before larger jobs and keep the receipts. If you can’t visit regularly, consider a local property manager or another trusted person who can report back to you and communicate with the person staying there.

Get local advice early if a disagreement starts

Occupancy, tenancy, and ownership questions depend on local law and the facts of the arrangement. If someone disputes who can stay, claims an interest in the property, or questions a boundary, keep copies of the relevant messages and documents. Speak with a qualified local property lawyer before trying to remove anyone, change locks, or sign a new agreement.

Start with one conversation this week. Ask the person looking after the home what they understand the arrangement to be, compare notes, and agree on a date to check in again.

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