Create a checklist for maintaining your holiday rental

May 2024

The best way to keep a holiday rental in top condition is to create a maintenance checklist. Often, preparing and maintaining the space involves numerous tasks, and it can be a headache to keep track of everything without more help than your memory. The task list or checklist helps keep the property in perfect condition and serves as an inventory in case it’s necessary to buy cleaning supplies or other essential items. The guest’s enjoyment and final satisfaction will depend on its proper execution.

Therefore, hosts typically study all rooms, halls, and common areas thoroughly and make a list of cleaning, maintenance, repair, and set-up tasks. It’s common to tick off each completed action with a simple “check”, and finally, perform a general review of the entire list. Maintenance goes from the specific to the general with one goal: to guarantee the perfect state of the property.

Organise general cleaning tasks

Cleaning is one of the key points when it comes to getting the property ready for guests. Guests particularly value a property without dirt, with a pleasant fragrance, and where items are well-cared for and clean. Therefore, cleaning is usually divided by types of spaces, ensuring that each “check” leaves an area resolved.

Cleaning common areas

Living room, dining room, hallways, game room… All areas shared by the people using the house need general cleaning: sweeping, mopping, and ensuring an orderly and logical arrangement of the furniture and items in the property. Common areas are often used intensively, so they frequently require more repairs or fixes.

Cleaning bedrooms

The intimate resting space is sacred to anyone. Hence, special emphasis must be placed on keeping it in good condition. Providing clean bed linen and pillowcases is fundamental. The feel of the bed shapes the relationship and quality of sleep.

Similarly, dusting, vacuuming the floor, and touching up the furniture, whether external or built-in, are necessary. And one last aspect: mirrors must be spotless so guests can see themselves clearly while getting ready to enjoy their holiday.

Kitchen

In the kitchen, an essential space for guests who dine in, two key aspects need to be considered. The first is that the utensils (cutlery, cleaning supplies, pots, pans, etc.) are in good condition for use, and the second is that the appliances work properly. Hob, dishwasher, microwave, and even the washing machine must be connected to the power supply. Also, stock the house with necessary cleaning supplies.

Bathrooms

Every trip involves moments dedicated to hygiene and personal care. Comfort in this intimate aspect significantly impacts guests’ satisfaction, so the bathroom is a sensitive area that must be meticulously cared for.

A fundamental action is ensuring that the shower and toilet are spotless and ready to use, as the guest’s hygiene will be daily if they spend time exploring the city. It’s advisable to ensure that, in addition to being clean, the bathroom has details that make a difference. Air freshener, toothpaste, hairdryer, bath towels, hand towels, soap… Provide mats and shower curtains or screens in perfect condition. Also, ensure there’s always enough toilet paper.

Outdoor areas

Exteriors such as porches, patios, terraces, and pools, besides being the spaces guests most enjoy using in good weather, are the accommodation’s first impression upon the tenants’ arrival. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure their good appearance and cleanliness. For this, their design is essential. Exteriors should be equipped with brooms and mops, strategically placed bins, and practical furniture. There’s nothing better than seeing the horizon from a terrace, enjoying a clean pool, or spending the afternoon on the porch listening to music.

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Property setup and repairs

The functionality of the holiday home is often one of the most scrutinised aspects by guests who use the space in various ways. Keeping its tools and appliances in good condition is essential to ensure a satisfying travel experience.

Almost every room in a house includes some type of electrical appliance. It’s important to check that all are working correctly. From heating or air conditioning units to appliances, televisions in the living room or bedrooms, washing machines in the bathroom, etc. All must be verified.

Key tasks include checking sockets and ensuring they’re connected to the power supply, adjusting fixtures, reviewing each TV cable, and ensuring the electrical installation functions correctly.

Schedule maintenance actions

For the maintenance review of the property to be satisfactory, it’s good practice to schedule the tasks. It’s recommended to classify each by importance and establish monthly, quarterly, biannual, and annual intervals. Thus, from routine practices like inventory checks and battery reviews to other tasks like paint touch-ups, furniture replacements, or changing worn-out bath linens, all will be carried out regularly.

Community suggestions that help with maintenance

Another action that helps boost good property maintenance is collecting all guest suggestions, whether online or communicated orally or in writing. Active listening is fundamental. It’s important to understand what aspects guests appreciate and which they consider improvable. The latter are usually easily addressed and greatly enhance habitability. So, the host can gather suggestions, list them, and improve point by point, creating a special subcategory in the checklist.

The online experience in holiday rentals

Even though it’s intangible, ensuring the entire online experience cycle works is also a form of maintenance. Therefore, it’s part of the reviews to be conducted before the guest’s arrival. The reservation system should be enabled for any last-minute messages, contact details updated, and phone numbers available for any queries.

As you can see, maintaining a holiday rental property requires meticulous effort and professionalism, aptitude, and attitude. Attention to detail turns a notable experience into an unforgettable one. If you aspire to be a top host, maintenance will be one of the standout aspects of your property.

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