The day to day work of vacation rentals means making sure your property is always ready to welcome guests when you have bookings.
Getting plenty of bookings and great reviews depends on keeping your property in excellent condition, and regular maintenance can also reduce unexpected expenses.
In this lesson, we’ll discuss what you need to do to prepare your property for guests, and how to maintain your property over time.
In Lesson 4:
- Preparing your property to rent
- Managing cleaning and housekeeping
- Maintenance and repairs
- Increasing sustainability
Preparing your property to rent
Before welcoming guests into your home, it’s vital to ensure you’ve done everything necessary to prepare the property.
Not sure where to start?
Here’s a checklist of everything to consider.
1. Property safety
First and foremost, you should ensure that your property is safe.
This could include:
- Installing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and a fire extinguisher to protect your guests and reduce the risk of fire damage.
- First aid kit with emergency supplies
- Fixing any potential hazards, like broken steps or faulty plug sockets.
- Adding extra security measures like digital locks or a keyless entry system
To protect your property from damage, consider using a tool like Superhog for damage protection and guest screening. This can help you avoid troublesome guests and recover your costs in the event that guests cause damage to your property.
2. Home aesthetics
Think about ways to elevate the aesthetic of your home to make it attractive to guests.
Here are some tips:
- Deep clean and declutter to ensure the space is fresh and guests have space to store their belongings. Remove any personal items you don’t want to get damaged.
- Update your decor with colorful accents or trendy pieces to modernize your design.
- Provide adequate storage space so guests can store their things out of sight.
- Statement pieces like a painting or mural can add some personality and make your property memorable.
- Install good lighting to create a positive atmosphere in each room.
3. Amenities
Your property should be well-equipped with as many amenities as possible.
Make sure your guests have:
- Good quality linens with spare sets
- Extra pillows and blankets
- Smart TV with different entertainment options
- Fast wifi
- Toiletries in the bathroom (soap, shampoo, toilet paper etc)
- Comfortable seating options
- Coffee maker
- Plenty of plates and cutlery
If you want to go the extra mile, consider investing in amenities such as:
- Smart home devices
- Premium toiletry products
- Recreational features – pool table, jacuzzi, gaming console, etc.
- Advanced kitchen appliances like blender, air fryer, etc.
The more amenities you can add to your listing, the better!
4. Guest information
Guests should be able to easily find all the information they need about the property and your local area.
Give your guests access to a digital welcome book, or provide a tablet containing property information.
Your welcome book should contain:
- Wifi password and check-in information
- Emergency procedures (where to find first aid kit, what to do in case of a fire)
- Instructions for using household appliances and amenities
- Information about nearby tourist attractions
- Food delivery options
- How to call a taxi, local bus, and train timetables
Not only will this help guests feel more at home, but it will also save you time and allow you to earn extra commission from upselling services.
You can use a tool like YourWelcome to provide all the information your guests need and increase guest satisfaction and revenue.
Managing cleaning and housekeeping
The property will need a thorough cleaning in between each booking, and you’ll need professional cleaning services to do the job.
A tool like Lula Cleaning or Doinn can simplify the process of coordinating cleaning services. The app allows you to organize your cleaning schedule, keep track of settlements, and receive updates on the status of your property.
Maintenance and repairs
Regular property maintenance can help you avoid major problems when guests are staying in your property, such as a broken dishwasher or a leak in the bathroom.
You also want to keep your most desirable amenities in good working order.
Maintaining property upkeep can prevent costly damage and improve the guest experience.
Increasing sustainability
Making your Airbnb rental more sustainable is beneficial for the environment. It can also be a selling point for environmentally conscious travelers and reduce costs.
Examples of ways to make your property more sustainable might include:
- Energy-efficient appliances such as refrigerators, washers, and dryers.
- LED lighting, which uses at least 75% less energy than incandescent lighting.
- Smart thermostats to control heating and cooling, reducing unnecessary energy use.
- Low-flow fixtures for showers, toilets, and faucets to reduce water use.
- Eco-friendly cleaning products that are biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals.
- Sustainable furnishing materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood, or responsibly sourced furniture.
- Bedding and curtains made from organic and natural fabrics
You can also provide information to guests about how to recycle and choose sustainable shopping options.
To recap, a tidy and well presented property is essential to getting 5* reviews (which help you secure more bookings) and repeat guests, leading to more earnings for you.
Keep your property in good condition and maintain all amenities regularly so you’re never caught out. Housekeeping or guest experience tools can help you keep on top of this process.
Top Tip: In our free Short Term Rental Growth Course we cover to automate, streamline and – most importantly – monetize your guest journey. We’ll also dive into housekeeping and cleaning services, guest communication, and upselling. For top tips from industry experts, check out the course here.
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Looking to grow your Airbnb business? Our simple, 7-step course will walk you through the entire process of growing a successful and sustainable Airbnb business. Check out the full course here.